The Yay Company
About The Company
Yay is out to fundamentally change school food for the better. We are a school food marketplace, connecting schools to wonderful local foodmakers within their own communities to get fresher, healthier, more delicious and more diverse food to kids everyday.
About The Opportunity The Yay Company is seeking a motivated Category Manager to lead our Packaged CPG business within the K-12 Foodservice sector. This is an excellent growth opportunity for an Associate Buyer or early‑career category professional ready to take the next step in their career. You'll be responsible for managing the complete assortment, pricing, and purchasing operations for all consumer packaged goods sold in our school retail locations and vending programs. The ideal candidate will bring solid CPG industry knowledge from grocery retail and be excited to make an impact in the K-12 foodservice space. The role is remote but must be in one of our current markets. The Category Manager will report into the Director of Food Strategy and will have a Procurement Lead as a Direct Report. Although this is a remote work opportunity, preference will be given to candidates who reside in one of our existing markets: Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Raleigh, Durham, Atlanta, Chicago, Austin, or Fort Worth.
About The Position Assortment & Category Management
Manage end-to-end category strategy for all packaged CPG products across school retail and vending channels
Design, implement, and maintain planograms that optimize product placement and drive sales performance
Continuously evaluate and optimize product line performance, making data‑driven decisions on assortment additions and deletions
Balance category mix to meet nutritional guidelines while maximizing student appeal and profitability
Strategic Sourcing & Purchasing
Lead all purchasing activities for packaged goods, including negotiations, order management, and inventory planning
Develop and execute pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with margin objectives
Manage vendor relationships and purchase order processes to ensure seamless supply chain operations
Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with operations to maintain optimal stock positions
Brand Development & Partnerships
Identify, evaluate, and introduce innovative new brands that resonate with school communities
Build and nurture strategic partnerships with leading and emerging CPG brands
Stay current on food and beverage trends, particularly those relevant to Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers
Collaborate with brand partners on promotional programs, launches, and customized offerings for the K-12 environment
Analysis & Performance Management
Track and analyze category performance metrics including sales, margins, turns, and student preferences
Conduct regular line reviews to assess product performance and identify opportunities
Provide insights and recommendations to leadership on category trends and strategic direction
Develop and maintain category scorecards and reporting dashboards
Experience Required Qualifications
2+ years of progressive experience as an Associate Buyer, Buyer, or Category professional
Background must include work with a Grocery Retailer or Wholesaler
Demonstrated success in managing CPG products with tangible results
Ready to step into an expanded role with full category ownership
Industry Knowledge
Strong understanding of the food CPG landscape, including major brands and emerging players
Solid familiarity with brand positioning, competitive dynamics, and category trends
Knowledge of retail operations, merchandising principles, and supply chain fundamentals
Eagerness to learn about K-12 foodservice and school nutrition requirements
Skills & Competencies
Excellent analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable strategies
Strong negotiation skills and experience managing vendor relationships
Proficiency in planogram development and space management
Strategic thinking combined with strong attention to operational detail
Effective communication skills across all organizational levels
Self‑motivated with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with planogram software and space management tools
Background in natural, organic, or better‑for‑you product categories
Familiarity with category management analytics platforms
Existing relationships with CPG brands and distributors
Experience in foodservice or vending operations (a plus, but not required)
Interest in school nutrition and youth wellness initiatives
Why This Role is Perfect for Your Next Step
Growth Opportunity: If you've been excelling as an Associate Buyer or junior category professional in grocery retail, this is your chance to step into a full Category Manager role with complete ownership of a business segment.
Transferable Skills: Your grocery retail experience translates directly - you already understand CPG dynamics, vendor negotiations, and merchandising strategies. We'll teach you the unique aspects of K-12 foodservice.
Meaningful Impact: Beyond driving sales and margins, you'll be introducing quality products that fuel students' learning and well‑being. Your work directly impacts school communities.
Manageable Scope: Starting with packaged goods gives you a defined category to master while building expertise in the K-12 space, setting you up for future advancement.
We're Excited About You Because You
Are an expert negotiator and understand that pennies count
Are passionate about the food industry
Are excited to come build a brand and a growing company
Have experience exceeding goals
Have strong organizational skills and are a self‑starter
Have strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on timely analysis
Approach challenges from the fundamentals
Express creative sales tactics to engage with prospects
Have experience using a CRM (Hubspot) and Google Apps
Benefits
$65,000 annual salary
Health Insurance - medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
Voluntary life and short‑term disability Insurance, and flexible spending account (FSA)
401(k) retirement, up to 3.5% employer match
Flexible paid time off (unlimited time off program)
Data stipend
Remote, flexible environment
Significant support structures, on‑the‑ground training, & coaching from central team member
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About The Opportunity The Yay Company is seeking a motivated Category Manager to lead our Packaged CPG business within the K-12 Foodservice sector. This is an excellent growth opportunity for an Associate Buyer or early‑career category professional ready to take the next step in their career. You'll be responsible for managing the complete assortment, pricing, and purchasing operations for all consumer packaged goods sold in our school retail locations and vending programs. The ideal candidate will bring solid CPG industry knowledge from grocery retail and be excited to make an impact in the K-12 foodservice space. The role is remote but must be in one of our current markets. The Category Manager will report into the Director of Food Strategy and will have a Procurement Lead as a Direct Report. Although this is a remote work opportunity, preference will be given to candidates who reside in one of our existing markets: Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Raleigh, Durham, Atlanta, Chicago, Austin, or Fort Worth.
About The Position Assortment & Category Management
Manage end-to-end category strategy for all packaged CPG products across school retail and vending channels
Design, implement, and maintain planograms that optimize product placement and drive sales performance
Continuously evaluate and optimize product line performance, making data‑driven decisions on assortment additions and deletions
Balance category mix to meet nutritional guidelines while maximizing student appeal and profitability
Strategic Sourcing & Purchasing
Lead all purchasing activities for packaged goods, including negotiations, order management, and inventory planning
Develop and execute pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with margin objectives
Manage vendor relationships and purchase order processes to ensure seamless supply chain operations
Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with operations to maintain optimal stock positions
Brand Development & Partnerships
Identify, evaluate, and introduce innovative new brands that resonate with school communities
Build and nurture strategic partnerships with leading and emerging CPG brands
Stay current on food and beverage trends, particularly those relevant to Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers
Collaborate with brand partners on promotional programs, launches, and customized offerings for the K-12 environment
Analysis & Performance Management
Track and analyze category performance metrics including sales, margins, turns, and student preferences
Conduct regular line reviews to assess product performance and identify opportunities
Provide insights and recommendations to leadership on category trends and strategic direction
Develop and maintain category scorecards and reporting dashboards
Experience Required Qualifications
2+ years of progressive experience as an Associate Buyer, Buyer, or Category professional
Background must include work with a Grocery Retailer or Wholesaler
Demonstrated success in managing CPG products with tangible results
Ready to step into an expanded role with full category ownership
Industry Knowledge
Strong understanding of the food CPG landscape, including major brands and emerging players
Solid familiarity with brand positioning, competitive dynamics, and category trends
Knowledge of retail operations, merchandising principles, and supply chain fundamentals
Eagerness to learn about K-12 foodservice and school nutrition requirements
Skills & Competencies
Excellent analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable strategies
Strong negotiation skills and experience managing vendor relationships
Proficiency in planogram development and space management
Strategic thinking combined with strong attention to operational detail
Effective communication skills across all organizational levels
Self‑motivated with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with planogram software and space management tools
Background in natural, organic, or better‑for‑you product categories
Familiarity with category management analytics platforms
Existing relationships with CPG brands and distributors
Experience in foodservice or vending operations (a plus, but not required)
Interest in school nutrition and youth wellness initiatives
Why This Role is Perfect for Your Next Step
Growth Opportunity: If you've been excelling as an Associate Buyer or junior category professional in grocery retail, this is your chance to step into a full Category Manager role with complete ownership of a business segment.
Transferable Skills: Your grocery retail experience translates directly - you already understand CPG dynamics, vendor negotiations, and merchandising strategies. We'll teach you the unique aspects of K-12 foodservice.
Meaningful Impact: Beyond driving sales and margins, you'll be introducing quality products that fuel students' learning and well‑being. Your work directly impacts school communities.
Manageable Scope: Starting with packaged goods gives you a defined category to master while building expertise in the K-12 space, setting you up for future advancement.
We're Excited About You Because You
Are an expert negotiator and understand that pennies count
Are passionate about the food industry
Are excited to come build a brand and a growing company
Have experience exceeding goals
Have strong organizational skills and are a self‑starter
Have strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on timely analysis
Approach challenges from the fundamentals
Express creative sales tactics to engage with prospects
Have experience using a CRM (Hubspot) and Google Apps
Benefits
$65,000 annual salary
Health Insurance - medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
Voluntary life and short‑term disability Insurance, and flexible spending account (FSA)
401(k) retirement, up to 3.5% employer match
Flexible paid time off (unlimited time off program)
Data stipend
Remote, flexible environment
Significant support structures, on‑the‑ground training, & coaching from central team member
#J-18808-Ljbffr