Blue Signal
Candy Category Manager
Location:
Queens, NY (Hybrid)
About the Company
Our client is a nationally recognized wholesale distributor serving thousands of food-service operators coast-to-coast. With a footprint that spans dozens of high-volume warehouses and a product catalog topping 20,000 items, they are investing heavily in category leadership and data-driven merchandising. The Candy Category Manager will spearhead a high-growth portfolio - confections, novelty items, and seasonal favorites - driving strategy and execution that delight customers and grow margin.
What You’ll Tackle
Shape the vision for a best-in-class candy assortment, balancing everyday core items with trend-forward innovations and seasonal programs.
Own P&L performance - price architecture, vendor income, promotional ROI, and inventory productivity.
Turn POS, margin, and supply-chain data into actionable insights at national and regional levels.
Secure cost, terms, and service advantages with global and domestic confectionery suppliers.
Run the holiday playbook (Halloween, Valentine’s, Easter, Christmas) so stores receive the right mix at the right time.
Partner with marketing and store operations on signage, planograms, and impulse-zone execution.
Leverage advanced Excel modeling to predict demand, flag risks, and brief senior leadership.
Ensure every SKU meets labeling, food-safety, and procurement standards.
Serve as the in-house candy authority, coaching cross-functional teams and junior analysts.
Ideal Profile
Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field.
7+ years in category management, purchasing, or merchandising within food, CPG, or convenience channels; confectionery a plus.
Demonstrated record of vendor negotiation that lifts margin and lowers total cost.
Advanced Excel skill set (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data modeling). ERP exposure to SAP or Oracle preferred.
Strong communicator comfortable presenting to executives and collaborating with store-level teams.
Compensation & Perks
Competitive base salary plus performance bonus
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) with company match
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Employee discount, tuition reimbursement, and professional-development stipend
Why This Role Stands Out
High visibility: Own a top-selling category for a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
Innovation runway: Introduce trend-driven products and data tools that reshape how the company goes to market.
Career springboard: This role feeds into senior merchandising leadership for those who outperform.
Hybrid flexibility: Enjoy the energy of the Queens HQ while preserving work-life balance two days a week from home.
About Blue Signal:
Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at
bit.ly/46Gs4yS
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Queens, NY (Hybrid)
About the Company
Our client is a nationally recognized wholesale distributor serving thousands of food-service operators coast-to-coast. With a footprint that spans dozens of high-volume warehouses and a product catalog topping 20,000 items, they are investing heavily in category leadership and data-driven merchandising. The Candy Category Manager will spearhead a high-growth portfolio - confections, novelty items, and seasonal favorites - driving strategy and execution that delight customers and grow margin.
What You’ll Tackle
Shape the vision for a best-in-class candy assortment, balancing everyday core items with trend-forward innovations and seasonal programs.
Own P&L performance - price architecture, vendor income, promotional ROI, and inventory productivity.
Turn POS, margin, and supply-chain data into actionable insights at national and regional levels.
Secure cost, terms, and service advantages with global and domestic confectionery suppliers.
Run the holiday playbook (Halloween, Valentine’s, Easter, Christmas) so stores receive the right mix at the right time.
Partner with marketing and store operations on signage, planograms, and impulse-zone execution.
Leverage advanced Excel modeling to predict demand, flag risks, and brief senior leadership.
Ensure every SKU meets labeling, food-safety, and procurement standards.
Serve as the in-house candy authority, coaching cross-functional teams and junior analysts.
Ideal Profile
Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field.
7+ years in category management, purchasing, or merchandising within food, CPG, or convenience channels; confectionery a plus.
Demonstrated record of vendor negotiation that lifts margin and lowers total cost.
Advanced Excel skill set (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data modeling). ERP exposure to SAP or Oracle preferred.
Strong communicator comfortable presenting to executives and collaborating with store-level teams.
Compensation & Perks
Competitive base salary plus performance bonus
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) with company match
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Employee discount, tuition reimbursement, and professional-development stipend
Why This Role Stands Out
High visibility: Own a top-selling category for a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
Innovation runway: Introduce trend-driven products and data tools that reshape how the company goes to market.
Career springboard: This role feeds into senior merchandising leadership for those who outperform.
Hybrid flexibility: Enjoy the energy of the Queens HQ while preserving work-life balance two days a week from home.
About Blue Signal:
Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at
bit.ly/46Gs4yS
#J-18808-Ljbffr