Job Details

Join Our Community of Food People!

This position has been segmented "Remote Anywhere" meaning the work is completed 100% remote anywhere in the U.S. except Hawaii or United States Territories. As a Category Manager, you will play a key role within our expanding Indirect Procurement Team, partnering closely with stakeholders and suppliers to deliver a best-in-class procurement experience. Success in this role requires strong expertise in category management and strategic sourcing, along with a proven ability to negotiate contracts effectively. The ideal candidate is influential, highly organized, deadline-driven, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that values continuous learning and improvement. Become a US Foods Associate! Ready to build a career with a company that's leading the foodservice industry? We help YOU make it! Benefits: Full US Foods Benefits - DAY 1! medical, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, and much more! US Foods is one of the largest food distributors with a culture and history of promoting from within, excellent training programs and a continuous improvement focus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Regularly analyze category spend to prioritize sourcing initiatives and uncover cost-saving opportunities with a focus on cost reduction and other key performance metrics.
• Design and execute sourcing strategies to maximize the value of every dollar, reduce risk, and improve supplier performance.
• Identify, assess, and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost-efficiency, and operational reliability through clear key performance indicators.
• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms aligned with organizational goals.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports to internal customers, providing updates and actionable insights.

Market Intelligence & Risk Mitigation

• Conduct market research and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities, align with industry best practices, and drive innovation.
• Track industry trends and market dynamics to strengthen category strategies and uncover potential supplier partnerships.
• Assess market developments and business risks to support proactive and informed sourcing decisions and development of mitigation plans.

Cross-functional Collaboration, Process & Technology Optimization

• Partner with cross-matrixed teams to define sourcing needs and align procurement projects with broader business objectives.
• Drive process improvements to enhance business efficiency and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and manage RFx processes using the company's Source-to-Pay (S2P) platform.
• Oversee contracts throughout their entire lifecycle within the S2P system.
• Promote user adoption by leveraging guided buying tools and fostering catalog functionalities.
• Educate business partners on procurement policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Perform additional tasks and projects assigned by the manager.

Category Focus

As per Category requirements (Facilities, Supply Chain, Marketing, IT, Business Services)

Relationships

Internal: Collaborate across the organization, engaging with executive leadership and cross-functional teams within a matrixed environment at corporate, regional and divisional levels.

External - Suppliers: Build and maintain strong partnerships with preferred suppliers and strategic partners to ensure alignment and performance.

External - Support Services: Lead and coordinate initiatives with nearshore and offshore third-party providers, as well as external business consultants, to drive project success and operational efficiency.

Work Environment

Remote: This role is fully remote, and the associate is expected to perform assigned responsibilities from a home-based environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Five (5) years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement management. Strong financial and analytical skills with a commitment to fact-based decision-making; consistently leveraging market data, spend analysis, establishing cost modeling opportunities to drive informed strategies. Ability to work independently. Project management expertise with strong leadership, time management, and problem-solving skills. Proficient in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills. Passionate about saving money.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Proven ability to lead contract negotiations and manage supplier relationships effectively. Strong negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to engage cross-functional stakeholders. Proficient in procurement platforms and ERP systems (SAP and Beroe). In-depth understanding of industry regulations, global sourcing strategies as related to a public organization Demonstrated experience working with business partners and managing complexities across regions from a remote location. Solid financial acumen with the ability to analyze cost structures and lead cost-saving initiatives. Willingness and ability to travel for supplier engagements, industry events, and internal meetings as required.