Category Manager, Food Service

Job Details: Job Location: Elizabethtown, NC 28337, Position Type: Full Time, Gas Mart DBA Minuteman Food Mart - Food Service Category Manager Join us as we grow together personally and professionally!  Four Generations of family managership continue to make it our vision to leave people better than we found them.  We are more than an oil company, convenience store or restaurant, we are a family!  We are improving the lives of those we touch every day by valuing the customer, caring for our 1000+ team members, and supporting our communities that we are honored to serve.      POSITION OVERVIEW The Category Manager, Foodservice is responsible for leading the Proprietary Foodservice category across Minuteman Food Mart. This role owns the full category P&L and is accountable for driving profitable sales growth through strategic assortment decisions, competitive pricing, supplier partnerships, and effective marketing and promotions. The Category Manager defines what we sell, how we price it, who we source it from, and how we go to market — with in-store execution owned by the Operations team. This is a strategic, commercially focused role. The Category Manager, Foodservice is expected to build and manage a high-performing proprietary foodservice program that is differentiated, profitable, and scalable. Success is measured by category sales, gross margin, supplier performance, and the effectiveness of promotional programs. This role requires a data-driven, merchant mindset and a deep understanding of the convenience store foodservice customer. The Category Manager, Foodservice must be comfortable owning a P&L, negotiating with suppliers, analyzing category performance, and making decisions that balance customer demand with financial results. This role partners closely with Operations, Marketing, and Finance. While the Category Manager sets the strategy and standards for the foodservice program, the Operations team is responsible for in-store execution. The Category Manager is accountable for equipping Operations with the right products, pricing, promotional tools, and supplier support to execute successfully. The position reports to the Vice President, Operations, Merchandising, & Marketing.   BENEFITS OVERVIEW Family first atmosphere  Benefits to fit your needs: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, 401k Competitive Total Compensation Plans with 401k match  Paid time off in your first year Team first environment Paid Gym Memberships Remote work in select roles Monthly teambuilding exercises Everyday Pay if needed Flexible Schedules for attending family events Professional Training Advancement opportunities Managership Training   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Own the Proprietary Foodservice category P&L, including sales, gross margin, cost of goods, and promotional spend. Set and manage financial targets and report performance against plan on a regular cadence. Lead category assortment strategy — determine which products are offered, how they are tiered, and how the lineup evolves based on customer demand, market trends, and financial performance. Develop and manage a competitive, market-informed pricing strategy for all proprietary foodservice items. Balance margin objectives with customer value and competitive positioning. Own supplier relationships for all proprietary foodservice programs. Negotiate contracts, pricing, trade funding, and service agreements. Hold suppliers accountable for quality, delivery, and performance commitments. Build and execute a promotional calendar for Proprietary Foodservice, partnering with Marketing on campaigns, LTOs, seasonal programs, and customer-facing communications that drive trial and repeat purchase. Partner with Marketing to develop merchandising standards, POS materials, digital promotions, and loyalty program integration that support foodservice category goals. Analyze category sales, margin, and customer data regularly to identify opportunities, address underperformance, and make informed assortment and pricing decisions. Lead new product development and program launches from concept through commercialization — including supplier sourcing, costing, pricing, and go-to-market planning. Hand off execution readiness to Operations. Partner with Operations to ensure the foodservice program is executable in-store. Provide clear product specs, pricing, promotional materials, and supplier contacts. Operations owns in-store execution. Manage the proprietary foodservice product pipeline — including new item introductions, discontinuations, and seasonal rotations — ensuring the assortment remains fresh, relevant, and financially sound. Stay current on foodservice industry trends, competitor programs, and consumer preferences. Bring forward-looking category insights and recommendations to leadership. Perform other duties as assigned based on the needs of the business.   #mmhp Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, buying, or a related commercial role — preferably in foodservice, convenience, grocery, or retail. Demonstrated ability to own and manage a category P&L, including sales, margin, and promotional budget. Experience in supplier negotiation, contract management, and vendor performance management. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, margin, and customer data to drive category decisions. Experience developing and executing promotional programs in partnership with a marketing team. Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with category management or reporting tools preferred. Preferred: Experience in convenience store foodservice, QSR, commissary, or prepared food categories strongly preferred. Experience with proprietary or private label food program development preferred. Familiarity with trade funding, supplier co-op programs, and promotional allowance management. Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and Marketing teams.     PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Office environment and field visits are required.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, hear, use hands to type data, operate business equipment and dial the telephone. They are regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and lift up to 30 lbs.   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.   NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.