Category Manager, Prepared Foods
Position Overview
- We are seeking a strategic, data-driven Prepared Foods Category Manager to own and scale one of the company’s highest-growth categories. This role will lead end-to-end category strategy across value-added chicken portfolios driving gross & net sales growth, margin expansion, innovation, supply optimization and strategic customer growth.
- This leader will proactively operate at the intersection of cross-functional teams including Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations and Sales to deliver enterprise-level impact.
- The scope includes owning the PnL (profit and loss attribution) for the business unit, specifically the product mix and customer segmentation aligned to the Retail Frozen Prepared Deli & Meals (including Branded and Private Label Frozen Bulk Pack Products & Home Meal Solutions).
- This role will execute category management fundamentals (price, product, promotion, placement) for the product mix & channel under management including but not limited to; Gross to Net, Trade Management, Cost of Goods, Gross Margin, Product Assortment & Optimization and Channel Go-To-Market Strategy.
- Successful candidates will be;
- A cultural fit, living our values professionally.
- A cross-functional leader, effectively managing indirect reports.
- A challenger of process, driving continuous improvement.
- A category owner (price, promotion, product & placement).
Scope & Financial Accountability
- Own full P&L for a $250-400M+ net sales prepared foods portfolio.
- Deliver budgeted annual category growth (>10%) for volume & net sales.
- Manage gross margin to budget through net, cost and mix optimization.
- Lead pricing & trade strategy in coordination with Revenue Growth Management.
- Drive forecast accuracy and inventory management with Sales & Supply Chain.
Core Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Growth
- Develop and execute 3-year category roadmap aligned with business unit strategy.
- Identify whitespace opportunities in Retail Customers w/ Meal Solutions (Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, etc.) across our branded portfolio of products and the private label & custom product landscape (including Meal Solutions & co-brand or third-party partnerships).
- Lead innovation pipeline specific to the Channel with cross-functional teams.
- Optimize assortment using velocity, margin, and consumer insight analytics.
- Drive and support joint business planning with strategic customers.
Financial & Margin Leadership
- Own gross revenue, gross-to-net trade management, net sales, cost of goods and gross margin to the business per budget.
- Implement cost engineering initiatives across ingredients, packaging, and production in coordination with cross-functional teams.
- Drive mix shift toward high-margin, differentiated SKUs.
- Conduct elasticity modeling and pricing optimization with RGM to support growth.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations and Sales teams.
- Align cross-functional goals business unit and category strategy.
- Drive prioritization within the cross functional teams to deliver objectives.
- Manage performance metric implementation and key performance indicators.
- Execute process, cadence and routines specific to the channel.
Operational Optimization
- Improve forecast accuracy and reduce aged & shrink inventory risk.
- Drive process improvements in production scheduling and WOS positions.
- Standardize fundamental processes in support of channel operations.
- Leverage internal and third-party data to track key performance metrics.
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- 7-10+ years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, marketing or relevant commercial roles.
- 3-5+ years managing perishable food categories in meat or CPG.
- Proven ownership of multi-million-dollar PnL responsibility.
- Demonstrated success negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts.
- Advanced analytical capability (SQL, advanced Excel, BI tools preferred).
- Microsoft Office & Adobe Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Proficiency in third-party reporting toolkits (Circana, Qlik, Dynamics, Telus, etc.).
- Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
- Channel specific experience preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
- Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
- As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.
The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:
- Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
- Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
- 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
- Base salary range of $125,000 - $140,000;
- Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
- Career Development:Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.
For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in states where it is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for any given position, compensation ranges are specific to those states and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiencies for the role.
This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled.
The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.
About us: Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. Pilgrim’s is headquartered in beautiful Greeley, Colorado, at the JBS USA corporate office where our 1,200 employees enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.
Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity
EOE, including disability/vets
Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.
