Associate Category Ops Manager

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE Join Our Community of Food People! Supports Area Merchandising by addressing and resolving escalated sales questions and requests in a timely manner, utilizing detailed knowledge of U.S. Foods products, systems and tools. Primary liaison between PSSA, RSC and Category Management as it relates to merchandising activities. Works closely with the area departments, particularly category management and replenishment to support efforts with vendors and suppliers to communicate important information.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAct as the central escalation point of contact for all internal merchandising inquiries related to product, specifications, availability, and substitutions from PSSABecome subject matter expert in US Foods systems and tools to quickly and accurately answer inquiriesVacancy support and backup to COM and PSSA rolesSupport Category Operations Managers with all analytics requests, local flyer item selection and rebate solicitation, Roll Out Book reviews and assortment projects - including E&O follow up, CASIS billings and vendor meeting preparationServe as gatekeeper of NIR process and tracking log - includes approval process, 30/60/90-day tracking follow-up, etc.Support PSSA/COM with escalation requests for proprietary SKU tyingEnter DCT's for COM's on new items & local flyers.Analyze weekly ATC communicates and disseminate direction to appropriate parties.Develop broker and vendor contacts along with using internal resource pool to independently address and follow up on PSSA escalated inquiries.Serve as escalation point of contact for RSC inquiresSupport PSSAs/COMs with sourcing/market baskets/special pricing requests.Gatekeeper of all COM related inquires; researching APN lookups, attaching vendors, items and pricing to later approve and send to buyer.Other duties assigned by manager.SUPERVISION: N/ARELATIONSHIPSInternal: Category Operations Managers, Marketing Managers, Replenishment (Local & RSC), Pricing team, Territory Managers, Account ExecutivesExternal: Local vendors and brokers, as needed.WORK ENVIRONMENTOffice environment.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Must possess a minimum 5 years of purchasing, merchandising, sales or customer service experience is required, preferably in a foodservice distribution environment.Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office especially Microsoft Word and Excel. Must be extremely organized, analytical and possess highly developed written/oral communication and interpersonal skills.Must be external and internal customer service focused.Ability to research, escalate and follow up on inquires with a great sense of urgency.Must have the ability to overcome objections and obstacles, with a solution-based attitudeEducationCollege degree or equivalent distribution or food service supply chain experience required.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSPrevious US. Foods experience preferred.PRISM/Merlin/Tandem skills preferred.PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONSMust be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of timeList the required physical activities including length of time performing each activity referencing the key belowOCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVERJOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:FREQUENCY:STAND :OCCASIONALLYWALK:OCCASIONALLYDRIVE:NEVERSIT:FREQUENTLYLIFT1-10 lbs (Sedentary):OCCASIONALLY11-20 lbs (Light):NEVER21-50 lbs (Medium):NEVER51-100 lbs (Heavy):NEVEROver 100 lbs (Very Heavy):NEVERCARRY1-10 lbs (Sedentary):OCCASIONALLY11-20 lbs (Light):NEVER21-50 lbs (Medium):NEVER51-100 lbs (Heavy):NEVEROver 100 lbs (Very Heavy):NEVERPUSH/PULL: NEVERCLIMB/BALANCE: NEVERSTOOP/SQUAT:OCCASIONALLYKNEEL:OCCASIONALLYBEND:OCCASIONALLYREACH ABOVE SHOULDER:OCCASIONALLYTWIST:OCCASIONALLYGRASP OBJECTS: FREQUENTLYMANIPULATE OBJECTS: FREQUENTLYMANUAL DEXTERITY: FREQUENTLYCompensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.The expected base rate for this role is between $55,000.00 and $90,000.00This role will also receivean annual incentive plan bonus.Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html .***EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***