Category Manager

El Segundo, CA

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Thai Union Group Public Company Limited is the world’s trusted seafood leader, leveraging its expertise, bringing high quality, safe, delicious and seafood products to customers across the world for over 40 years. We are the world’s largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products, with a global workforce of over 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable and innovative seafood products.

Our commitment to enable “Healthy Living and Healthy Oceans” is realized through initiatives that cover a wide spectrum, from building sustainable ecosystems based on new technologies, through to investments in a number of global startups focusing on functional nutrition. Our SeaChange® sustainability strategy is a key pillar of our sustainability efforts, resulting in our inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Emerging Markets (DJSI) for seven straight years and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for five straight years. In addition, we have been named as one of the world’s highest performing sustainable companies, receiving a Gold Class distinction in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021. These recognitions highlight that sustainability is not just integrated across all of our business practices, but has become the way our company does business.

We are dedicated to producing sustainable, convenient, and quality seafood products to help families worldwide lead healthier lives. In addition, we put a high priority on food-tech innovation, which can be seen through our expansion into areas such as alternative protein (including plant-based meats), supplements, and marine ingredients.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

The Category Manager is responsible for Sales optimization & Inventory cap compliance.  Support is directed to the following distribution channels – Food Service, Wholesale, Retail and Club.  A competitive commercial understanding is critical to vendor selection & management.  Effective vendor management will deliver competitive pricing, product marketing, and adequate inventory levels for effective channel distribution.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Align with Channel leads to calculate forecasts & understand demand trends
• Manage/track budget/forecast/Inventory cap compliance
• Research and analyze data defining market indicators
• Search & define category trends, align with the commercial team to determine consumer impact insights
• Plan and implement long-term development strategies for product/items
• Work with Sales Dept to Design exit strategies for unsuccessful products
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with vendors 
• Place appropriate orders, manage inventory cap requirements
• Ensure product availability within the scope of sales forecasts and Cap compliance
• Collaborate with other departments such as Marketing, Quality, Logistics
• Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing & promotional activities 

• Work w/Channels/customers – find new ways to expand product distribution 

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proven experience as a Category Manager
• Sold knowledge of category management, marketing, and sales principles
• Understand data analysis and forecasting methods
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with vendors, suppliers, shippers, and customers. 
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Thorough understanding of company products and logistics.  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience as a supervisor, manager, or similar relevant position required.

Computer Skills

Ability to use industry-specific technology, such as logistics and supply chain, enterprise resource planning (ERP).  Intermediate to advance knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

Language Skills

No foreign languages required. Knowledge of Spanish, Bahasa, Chinese or Thai preferred but not required.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest and commissions.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical and complex problems and effectively handle a variety of possibilities and/or situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, communicate, usually through talking, hearing, writing and typing. Employee should be able to operate standard office equipment, i.e., telephones, computers, facsimile and copier. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk, and move or lift to 35 lbs. The employee regularly works in a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with a moderate degree of noise.

The employee is required to comply with all company policies, rules and directives, including safe work practices.

VALUES

• Collaborative – works well with diverse workforce; communicates professionally with associates and leaders
• Responsible – punctual, proactively communicates status of issues and projects
• Humble – eager to learn new skills, asks for assistance when needed
• Passionate – has a support-mindset; committed to be the best
• Respectful – exhibits behaviors of caring, compassion, honesty, integrity, and fairness
• Innovative — constantly looks for ways to be more efficient and productive; Committed to continuous improvement

A career at Thai Union is a unique experience to grow as a professional and as a person. You will join a global fast-growing, innovative, and entrepreneurial organization deeply committed to its people, its community, and the environment.

Every single one of our employees matter. We are always listening and giving our talent opportunities to grow, develop, and implement new ideas to make a difference. Our focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability in a creative and dynamic environment, combined with great opportunities to lead progress, is a guarantee you will quickly develop your professional skills within a diverse & inclusive human-centered organization.

Thai Union is committed to providing equality of opportunity. If you require any reasonable adjustments to help support your application, please let us know.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females,Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.