Account Manager / Category Manager

Company Description

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood, NJ; Hillside NJ, Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA.  Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN.  We are committed to maintaining a progressive workplace by utilizing the ideas, skills and talents of all of our employees.  We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

Job Description

The Category Manager is responsible for managing internal commercial category management activities (customer relationship development, contracting, pricing, market information, data process inputs) on an assigned book of business in addition to direct customer development and management. The individual will work cross-functionally with outside sales partners, other key internal departments and provide support to the customer base. Ability to perform in a fast-paced, transaction-rich environment while delivering exceptional customer service is critical. This position includes direct and co-assigned managed accounts, some travel to these accounts, shows and visits to plants will be required.  This role may also be combined with other responsibilities as directed by the Business Director. The Category Manager will:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Promote enhancement of customer relationships and instill service culture. Book of Business responsibilities will include management of some of the business unit’s strategic direct and co-assigned accounts.  Develop and maintain customer development plans.
2. Provide transactional and consultative support to established Book of Business via daily quote, forward contracting, pricing, market management, RFP/RFP responses and customer/category project needs. Manage bookings and timely applications.
3. Actively pursue new business opportunities to drive additional volume and gross profit.
4. Perform regular pricing structure analysis in response to RFP requests, competitive opportunities & threats, changing cost metrics, and margin reviews to achieve goals and results.   Follow management guidelines and provide input to pricing strategies.  Provide some guidance to other colleagues in the department in similar activities.
5. Conduct trend analysis by category to support growth.
6. Possess good understanding of relevant markets and provide advice on assessment of position and recommend purchasing tactics to customers.
7. Function as conduit for Outside Sales and Customer feedback to the rest of the organization. Support Outside Sales activities as defined by direct manager. 
8. Own significant customer and category demand inputs (volume and GP) for short- and long-term business planning through established processes in the organization. Own and provide forecast input and inventory follow up for the assigned category.
9. Responsible for up to approx. $100-400 MM Sales/Year or corresponding Gross Profit.
10. Occasionally coach and mentor other team members.
11. Regularly work on special projects/other departmental responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:  BA in Business, Finance or Marketing preferred. MS or MBA preferred or equivalent education and experience.

Related Experience:  Minimum 3 years sales support, category management, finance/accounting, procurement/supply chain. Commodities market experience preferred.

Equipment/Software Skills:  Intermediate/Advanced MS Excel skills required.  Proficient in other Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint), phone/voice systems, etc. IBM, Salesforce and forecasting experience are a plus.

Competencies

• Analytical Skills:  Reviews job-related information to assess and analyze results for accuracy, profitability, completeness, consistency, voids, identify performance trends by category and/or segment, etc.; Uses commodity market information and competitive data to adjust pricing strategies. Uses and incorporates job-related tools, systems, and processes (MS Excel, IBM, ERP, Daily Reports, S&OP, IBP, other) as needed.
• Mathematical Skills:  Performs pricing calculations with accuracy, updated costs, proper markets, correct formulas, etc. 
• Communications – Written and Oral: Communicates clearly, tactfully, and succinctly in a variety of communication mediums