Vice President - Category Management

• Works with the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Category Management to establish overall Category Management strategies and execution.

• In coordination with the SVP Category Management Creates and implements key departmental strategic initiatives to align successfully with UniPro’s overall Category Management goals

• Establishes criteria for team members to drive productivity and establishes metrics to measure success.

• Measures, monitors, and takes corrective action on the team’s goals and objectives as necessary.

• Review and validate with their associates which suppliers which should be added to the category supplier base and where appropriate terminating under-performing suppliers.

• Collaborate with suppliers to develop supplier funded promotional programs to provide additional opportunities for growth and Member income.

• Proactively work with UniPro Members and their team to grow specified category earned income by managing EDA & SPA income programs, committed programs, Block Buys, Tier and Volumetric, Partners Plus and other earned income programs.

• Maintains coordinated responsibility for key categorical suppliers to drive member income.

• Responsible for EDA/SPA income budgeting and performance on an annual basis.

• Develops, supports and maintains key supplier and UniPro Member relationships at the key management levels

• A key contributor, negotiator and framework provider in negotiations seeking to improve supplier earned income programs through a) higher EDA rates per pound, per case, or on a percentage basis, and b) improved SPA allowances, promotions, incentives, and growth programs.

• Responsible for the supporting and guidance role of Partners Plus supplier negotiations and income generation. Serves as the primary decision maker, under the parameters provided on adjustments to the supplier obligations and benefits.

• Establishes and maintains career development strategy for assigned department Associates with the Senior Vice President of Category Management

• Works with key functional areas within UniPro (Member Development, Partners Plus Marketing, IT, Supply Chain, Branding) with the goal of driving member support.

• Represents UniPro and its members in key industry events/activities including conventions and conferences.

• Assist in the collection and maintenance of Member revenue returns in the form of EDA and SPA.

 

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED

The Vice President reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Category Management. Direct reports will include assigned Sr. Directors, Directors and Sr. Category Members and others if required.

 

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Internal contact with UniPro Senior Management, Human Resources, Quality Assurance, IT, NDA, Accounting/Finance, Meeting & Events, Member Development and Marketing.

• External contact with UniPro Members, approved and potential specified category suppliers.

 

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• May be required to attend various category Industry Training and Educational Seminars to remain well versed in current industry direction and innovations.

• May be required to attend various category Industry Conventions, Shows and Supplier facilities to maintain existing as well as develop new Supplier relationships.

• Communicate assigned Supplier news and activities through established communication channels, to UniPro Foodservice, Inc. and UniPro Members

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience. Minimum of Ten (10) years’ experience in the Food Service Industry required as well as five (5) years’ experience in Buying Group/Corporate Distribution with emphasis in Foodservice Category Management experience preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, budgeting and associate management; Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

• Travel to participate in UniPro Conferences or industry-related functions like conventions, trade shows, and supplier facility or corporate office visits. Estimated travel is <15%.

• International Travel may be required

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