Conexus Food Solutions
Category Sourcing Manager Indeed
Conexus Food Solutions, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Overview
Conexus Food Solutions - Chicago, IL - Full Time Category Sourcing Manager: Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce) Site Address: 6500 W. 51st Street, Chicago, IL 60638 Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago houses our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we are a trusted partner for reliable delivery services. We value teamwork, integrity, and collaboration. We are looking for individuals who share these values and are committed to excellence. Join our team to grow your skills and contribute to our culture and success. Position Summary
The Category Manager for Fresh Proteins and Produce is a critical role within our Strategic Sourcing team, responsible for overseeing and optimizing the procurement of fresh poultry, beef, pork, and a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. This role requires an expert understanding of commodity market volatility, seasonality, food safety, and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a trading mindset, a proactive, risk-aware approach to sourcing, and strong negotiation and problem-solving skills to develop and execute strategic sourcing plans that ensure supply continuity, manage risk, and deliver value. Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Market Expertise:
Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for fresh proteins (beef, pork, poultry) and fresh produce aligned with goals for quality, cost, and risk management. Monitor and analyze global and domestic commodity markets, futures pricing, and seasonal trends to inform decisions and identify opportunities. Serve as the subject matter expert for fresh proteins and produce, providing market insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
Supplier & Supply Chain Management:
Lead the sourcing lifecycle from supplier identification to ongoing relationship management. Build and maintain partnerships with farmers, growers, processors, and distributors to ensure a reliable, high-quality supply chain. Negotiate contracts addressing risks for fresh products, including quality standards, food safety compliance, and supply chain flexibility. Develop and manage supplier KPIs to drive continuous improvement in quality, service, and cost.
Cost Management & Risk Mitigation:
Identify and implement cost-saving and value-add opportunities within the categories. Develop and execute strategies to address market volatility, disruptions, and other supply chain risks; apply a trader’s mindset for forward-looking decisions. Manage and forecast category spend with detailed savings and budget analyses.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance:
Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, R&D, and Marketing to ensure alignment with product specifications and sourcing strategies. Ensure sourcing activities and suppliers comply with food safety regulations (e.g., USDA, FDA), sustainability standards, and ethical sourcing policies. Support new product development by sourcing and vetting suppliers for innovative ingredients and products.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or related field. Optional: Master’s degree or certifications (e.g., CPIM) a plus.
Experience:
Minimum of 5-7 years in strategic sourcing or category management, with focus on fresh food products. Deep expertise in sourcing fresh proteins and/or fresh produce. Experience negotiating complex contracts and managing supplier relationships in the food industry. Proven track record of delivering cost savings and implementing risk management strategies. Experience or exposure to commodity trading, futures markets, or financial analysis is valued.
Attitude & Skills:
Strong trading mindset with a proactive, data-driven approach to market fluctuations. Knowledge of agricultural supply chains, commodity markets, and food industry regulations. Excellent negotiation and communication skills; ability to influence stakeholders. Analytical skills to interpret market and financial data for strategic decisions. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with procurement software and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, ERP).
Salary & Benefits
Salary Range: 70K - 100K Benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401(k) with company match Sponsorship
Conexus Food Solutions does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
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Conexus Food Solutions - Chicago, IL - Full Time Category Sourcing Manager: Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce) Site Address: 6500 W. 51st Street, Chicago, IL 60638 Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago houses our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we are a trusted partner for reliable delivery services. We value teamwork, integrity, and collaboration. We are looking for individuals who share these values and are committed to excellence. Join our team to grow your skills and contribute to our culture and success. Position Summary
The Category Manager for Fresh Proteins and Produce is a critical role within our Strategic Sourcing team, responsible for overseeing and optimizing the procurement of fresh poultry, beef, pork, and a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. This role requires an expert understanding of commodity market volatility, seasonality, food safety, and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a trading mindset, a proactive, risk-aware approach to sourcing, and strong negotiation and problem-solving skills to develop and execute strategic sourcing plans that ensure supply continuity, manage risk, and deliver value. Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Market Expertise:
Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for fresh proteins (beef, pork, poultry) and fresh produce aligned with goals for quality, cost, and risk management. Monitor and analyze global and domestic commodity markets, futures pricing, and seasonal trends to inform decisions and identify opportunities. Serve as the subject matter expert for fresh proteins and produce, providing market insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
Supplier & Supply Chain Management:
Lead the sourcing lifecycle from supplier identification to ongoing relationship management. Build and maintain partnerships with farmers, growers, processors, and distributors to ensure a reliable, high-quality supply chain. Negotiate contracts addressing risks for fresh products, including quality standards, food safety compliance, and supply chain flexibility. Develop and manage supplier KPIs to drive continuous improvement in quality, service, and cost.
Cost Management & Risk Mitigation:
Identify and implement cost-saving and value-add opportunities within the categories. Develop and execute strategies to address market volatility, disruptions, and other supply chain risks; apply a trader’s mindset for forward-looking decisions. Manage and forecast category spend with detailed savings and budget analyses.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance:
Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, R&D, and Marketing to ensure alignment with product specifications and sourcing strategies. Ensure sourcing activities and suppliers comply with food safety regulations (e.g., USDA, FDA), sustainability standards, and ethical sourcing policies. Support new product development by sourcing and vetting suppliers for innovative ingredients and products.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or related field. Optional: Master’s degree or certifications (e.g., CPIM) a plus.
Experience:
Minimum of 5-7 years in strategic sourcing or category management, with focus on fresh food products. Deep expertise in sourcing fresh proteins and/or fresh produce. Experience negotiating complex contracts and managing supplier relationships in the food industry. Proven track record of delivering cost savings and implementing risk management strategies. Experience or exposure to commodity trading, futures markets, or financial analysis is valued.
Attitude & Skills:
Strong trading mindset with a proactive, data-driven approach to market fluctuations. Knowledge of agricultural supply chains, commodity markets, and food industry regulations. Excellent negotiation and communication skills; ability to influence stakeholders. Analytical skills to interpret market and financial data for strategic decisions. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with procurement software and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, ERP).
Salary & Benefits
Salary Range: 70K - 100K Benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401(k) with company match Sponsorship
Conexus Food Solutions does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr