A well-established produce importer/distributor is searching for a Category Manager to join their team. The Category Manager will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day and in-season functions of the assigned categories; Cherries and Stonefruit. This includes in-market procurement, pricing, inventory management, direct sales, key account management, and sales support. The Category Manager will collaborate closely with the other Category stakeholders and sales leadership, leading discussions on sales calls related to the treefruit categories, managing inventory rotation, and maintaining strong relationships with the category team, sales team, operations team, as well as the key accounts and growers that support the category. 

Responsibilities & Duties: 

• Engage with market participants (e.g. buyers, broker, etc.) to call the market and stay informed of market trends, pricing, and competitor activities.
• Lead discussions on sales calls related to the Tree fruit categories, providing timely insights and actionable recommendations.
• Manage day-to-day pricing strategies, including ad cycle pricing and managing grower averages.
• Allocate orders within the category with the assistance of the administrator, ensuring timely and efficient order fulfillment.
• Make decisions on sales orders for the category, ensuring alignment with company goals and strategies.
• Forecast in-season demand and repack needs to effectively manage programs that require multiple pack styles.
• Manage fruit purchases within the category, maintaining responsibility for profit and loss management to maximize category profitability.
• Prepare and distribute a weekly market report for sales, highlighting key trends, pricing strategies, and actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and distribute a weekly market report for growers, providing insights into market conditions and demand forecasts.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, accounting, marketing, and operations, to ensure alignment and support for category objectives.
• Stay current on industry developments, market trends, and competitor activity, offering insights and recommendations to drive category growth and profitability. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Business Administration, Agriculture, or a closely related field from an accredited institution is strongly preferred.
• Bi-lingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of import regulations, documentation, and logistics is required.
• 6+ years of direct experience in the produce industry or related field is required.
• 3+ years of direct experience in category management, procurement, or related roles within the fresh produce industry is required.
• 2+ years of direct experience working with citrus is strongly preferred.

Compensation: DOE, Commission, Bonus, Medical Benefits, 401K, relocation assistance.

Please contact Jennifer Mazza, jennfer@producecareers.com