Welcome to Gordon Food Service! Here's a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. We are seeking a decisive, high-energy, market-oriented COP Commodity Category Manager to spearhead the incremental growth of our Protein category.

While our Core Merchandising Manager maintains the foundational portfolio, you are the "Market Specialist." You will sit at the center of the action: responding to time-sensitive offers, collaborating with our Strategic Alliances, Specialty Companies, Vendor network and Sales teams and managing our COP Contracting program. We need a skilled who thrives under pressure and can bridge the gap between global commodity trends and local market needs, ensuring our product portfolio and buy-side costs translate into a winning sell-side position.

Travel : position currently requires some travel across the Atlantic region for customer visits Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EFAP Benefits after 30 days of employment ~ Speedy & Decisive Action: In this fast-paced environment, you will make purchasing decisions on time-sensitive offers through our Strategic Alliances, Specialty Companies and Vendor network, ensuring we secure market advantages before they disappear.

Continuous Market Monitoring

You are responsible for ensuring we are competitively positioned allowing our sales team to win at the street level. Risk & Capacity Management Manage higher-risk inventory by analyzing volume, DC capacity and market volatility before directing large, opportunistic buys. Sales & Marketing Synergy Act as a critical resource for the sales by sourcing unique products and "opportunity buys" that drive incremental customer interest Risk & Inventory Management Analyze volume, Distribution Centre (DC) capacity, and market volatility before directing large, high-risk buys.

You are the connective tissue between the Core COP Divisional Merchandising Manager, Sales,



Supply Chain and Revenue Management. Customer-Side Contracting Manage the division's protein contracting program for customers. Ensure that supply-side costs align with customer-side commitments to protect margins and ensure reliable distribution.

Contract Performance

Monitor and elevate contract performance issues, ensuring that both vendors and the division meet their volume and pricing obligations. Utilize a mix of national partners, strategic alliances, specialty companies and local/regional sources to ensure our portfolio remains market-relevant and competitive.

Contract Negotiation

Lead negotiations with new regional suppliers, collaborating with Strategic Procurement to expand our local footprint. National/Regional Alignment Represent the unique needs of the local market to the North American Category Team, ensuring regional agility within national frameworks. You must skillfully balance national strategies with unique regional demands, ensuring our local portfolio is relevant without diverging from long-range company goals.

Seasonal Gap Analysis

Proactively anticipate seasonal demand and commodity cycles by securing supply and cost advantages ahead of peak periods, including executing forward buys when market conditions are favorable. Continuously assess the portfolio for gaps and position inventory in advance of seasonal spikes, balancing service levels with risk while leveraging market insights Sales Partnership & Customer Engagement Field-Based Sales Support Partner with District Sales Managers and Sales Representatives to identify customer opportunities, provide protein expertise and develop solutions that drive sales, brand and margin growth. Customer-Facing Consultations Support customer meetings, business reviews and sales calls as the protein subject matter expert Train and coach Sales teams on protein products, market trends, and selling strategies to build confidence and support customer success. #

📌 Grocery Merchandising Manager (Amherst)
🏢 Gfs
📍 Amherst