Category Manager - NAAL

Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of "We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World". The company's product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

TITLE: Category Manager - Spices & Vegetables

LOCATION: Proximity to Work in Alsip IL US or Lithonia, GA

Hybrid 2-3 days a week

COMP RANGE: $100,000 - $120,000/year plus bonus (US Currency)

Griffith Foods is hiring a Category Manager to be responsible for the strategic purchasing of a set grouping of Spices & Vegetables categories for North America. This individual contributor role focuses on sustainable material sourcing, category management, negotiations, supplier relationship management, and contract management, all critical for supporting Griffith's growth and innovation. This role is also the key supplier contact and subject matter expert for a set group of items/categories within the North American purchasing dept. All costs, negotiations, cost forecast visibility for these categories as well as any necessary material expediting activities are the key responsibilities of this role.

This is your opportunity to be responsible for driving strategic decisions that directly impact the company's cost efficiency and profitability and manage key categories that are vital to the operational success of Griffith Foods and the North American region.

As a Category Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and managing supplier relationships in conjunction with internal stakeholders (Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Finance, and Customer Service).
• Negotiating and managing strategic contracts that include an emphasis on quality, service, continuous improvement, and sustainability.
• Development and management of the budgetary process and the associated Purchase Price Variance (PPV).
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to assure an optimized cost of use for selected Spice & Veg categories.
• Act as the primary Purchasing point of contact for Custom Culinary, ensuring seamless integration with the broader Purchasing team to support ongoing Griffith Foods initiatives.
• Facilitate clear communication between stakeholders, ensuring alignment of purchasing strategies with business goals and contributing to the broader leadership team objectives.
• Drive process solutions and have strong project management skills.

The Category Manager position is well suited for you if you:

• Like to ensure compliance with all suppliers to Griffith's quality, regulatory, and legal documentation expectations.
• Enjoy creating and implementing sourcing strategies, processes and best practices.
• Have proven negotiation experience and cross-functional project management skills.
• Develop and implement supplier and category strategies.
• Have strong business acumen with the ability to align category strategies with overall business objectives, including raw material cost forecasting and management.
• Strong communication and collaboration across all levels of the organization.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field.
• 10 years' experience in Purchasing/Sourcing or Category Management.
• Strong working knowledge of MRP systems.
• Willing to travel up to 10% as required for project collaboration and knowledge exchange.

What will set you apart:

• Master's degree
• Professional certification such as CPIM/APICS/CPM

Griffith Foods embraces Work Flex, allowing employees to work remotely, and select options like compressed work weeks, flex time, etc. that creates an effective workplace where work patterns meet the needs of both employers and employees. Most professionals come into the office three days a week. Periodic onsite meetings may occur at the above posted locations.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, EAP, Health Advocacy, Financial Planning, Parental Leave, Care.com, Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Safety Reimbursement, Lifestyle Spending Account, Group Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, ESOP, PTO, Holiday's & Leaves, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Home & Auto Insurance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Long Term Care + Life Insurance & Legal Assistance. There is also potential for a discretionary bonus, with a target of 12%. This bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

At Griffith Foods, you can be a member of a globally connected team that is known for true, collaborative innovation, guided by our purpose to Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish The World. We are a family-owned business, founded in 1919 and headquarters in Alsip, Illinois USA. Our product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet.

At Griffith Foods, we aim to create a regenerative future and build food systems that are sustainable and resilient for both people and the planet. A sustainable supply chain enables us to deliver high-quality products in a way that supports the growers and farming communities. Learn more about us at https://griffithfoods.com/careers/

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Griffith Foods believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. Griffith Foods does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of the following actual or perceived characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, AIDS or HIV status, order of protection status, marital status, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspect of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, participation in benefit programs, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Benefits:

Benefits for this role include Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, EAP, Health Advocacy, Financial Planning, Parental Leave, Care.com, Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Safety Reimbursement, Lifestyle Spending Account, Group Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, ESOP, PTO, Holiday's & Leaves, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Home & Auto Insurance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Long Term Care + Life Insurance & Legal Assistance. There is also potential for a discretionary bonus, this bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.