Key Facts

Remote From:

Anywhere

Full time

Senior (5-10 years)

English

Hard Skills

Other Skills

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Packaging And Labeling
•
Communication
•
Leadership
•
Strategic Planning
•
Analytical Thinking

CFS Brands

Hospitality: Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

About CFS Brands

Since 1954, CFS Brands cemented its passion for design with many industry firsts, including the commercial-grade plastic beverage pitcher and, more notably, the Bains Marie bin - forever transforming food storage and handling. Today, CFS Brands is one of the largest partner suppliers to the FoodService, Healthcare and Hygiene industries. Our goal is to provide customers with innovative solutions, quality service and a comprehensive shopping experience - increasing success while reducing costs. CFS Brands identifies the problem and invents the solution, expanding on inspiration from the past to reshape industries using today’s technology. While simultaneously harnessing the power of our best-in-class brands like San Jamar, Dinex and Sparta, to establish customer-centric solutions, the heart of our innovation. Our worldwide team of dedicated employees drives CFS Brands as the single-source and most trusted partner for integrated solutions and support, helping deliver our brand promise: Designing Value. Delivering Success.

Company type: SME

Industry: Hospitality: Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

Founded: 2018

Company size: 501 - 1000

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Job description

Title: Food Service Category Manager

Reports to: Sr. Director, Product Management

Location: Remote in the Chicagoland area. Must live within 1-hour radius of O'Hare Airport.

Travel: Overnight may be expected up to twice per month for client meetings and as needed for tradeshows and business related events.

About the Position: The Food Service Category Manager (Product Manager) drives profitable growth within assigned product lines by developing and executing a comprehensive strategy across the 4 Ps—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. This position combines strategic insight with hands-on execution to optimize product performance, enhance market competitiveness, and enable sales success.

Existing Portfolio Management
Analyze and optimize SKU mix; lead rationalization of underperforming items and manage slow-moving or obsolete inventory disposition. ○ Identify portfolio gaps and recommend new product opportunities aligned with business objectives.
Monitor sales performance to identify issues and implement corrective actions.
Lead and support cost-reduction initiatives for key product lines.
Partner with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to refine product specifications, pricing metrics, and procurement strategies.
Ensure product data accuracy and consistency across all systems.
New Product Development
Develop and maintain product roadmaps to achieve a 10%+ vitality index, focusing on innovation, value creation, and brand alignment.
Collaborate with Product Development and Project Management to ensure timely and successful product launches.
Work closely with Sales teams to ensure effective market adoption and product success.
Continuously monitor competitive pricing and market trends to ensure optimal positioning.
Recommend and execute pricing adjustments to drive both volume and margin dollar growth.
Conduct pricing experiments to evaluate demand elasticity and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
Define target sales channels (e.g., dealers, e-commerce, cash-and-carry) for product categories.
Determine pack sizes, packaging, and labeling requirements by channel and coordinate cross-functional implementation.
Partner with distributors to develop and implement merchandising strategies that enhance visibility and drive sales.
Collaborate with e-commerce teams to ensure accurate and optimized product content.
Partner with Marketing to create compelling promotional assets for both new and existing products.
Define advertising and promotional strategies for key product categories.
Build and manage a promotional calendar in coordination with Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain teams.
Develop and implement promotional pricing strategies and materials for key events, including distributor meetings, buying group shows, and trade events.

Education/Experience/Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in business related field or Master's degree preferred.

● 5+ years of experience in Product Management and Price Management required

● B2B Sales experience required

● Proven leadership, communication, and analytical skills

● Strong cross-functional collaboration and strategic planning abilities

About CFS Brands: CFS Brands is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 to confirm work authorization.