Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc.
Protein Category Specialist- New England
Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Company
Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc. provides the finest ingredients from around the world. For more than 30 years, the company has supported the food industry using cutting‑edge logistics, a modern supply chain, and an unwavering commitment to service. Today, we are the trusted distribution partner for top hotels, restaurants, country clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, and culinary professionals across the region. Position
Center of Plate Category Specialist Pay Range
$80,000.00/yr – $100,000.00/yr (based on skills and experience) Overview
Baldor Specialty Foods is seeking a Center of Plate Category Specialist to lead the strategic and tactical development of our protein category—including meat, poultry, and seafood. Reporting to the Director of Sales, this role will drive category growth, support pricing and go‑to‑market activity, and ensure profitability through data‑driven decision‑making and strong business partnerships. The specialist will act as the subject matter expert for Center of Plate products, collaborating with Sales, Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain to deliver measurable results across all channels: Foodservice, Wholesale, National Accounts, and Retail. Responsibilities
Develop and execute category‑specific strategies to achieve sales and margin objectives. Maintain a deep understanding of market dynamics, commodity trends, and cost structures to identify risks and opportunities. Conduct ongoing analysis of category performance, including promotional effectiveness, pricing, and assortment optimization. Prepare weekly and monthly reviews of key metrics impacting financial performance. Build and maintain strong relationships with supplier partners to negotiate programs and secure competitive pricing. Evaluate supplier proposals using financial and non‑financial criteria to recommend awards. Drive supplier performance improvements in cost, quality, and service. Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Merchandising to develop promotional plans and selling programs. Communicate category initiatives and updates to internal teams, ensuring alignment and execution. Support new product launches with training, demos, and marketing rollout plans. Provide product knowledge and category insights to Sales Executives and Regional Sales Managers. Assist in developing tools and playbooks to support upselling and cross‑selling strategies. Participate in field coaching and customer visits to reinforce category positioning. Ensure adherence to FSMA requirements and USDA grading standards. Identify and implement cost‑saving measures using a Total Cost of Ownership approach. Support continuous improvement initiatives across category management processes. Requirements and Skills
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Culinary Arts, or related field. 3–5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or sales within the protein category. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, V‑lookups) and PowerPoint. Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (Dynamics 365 a plus). Knowledge of USDA grading standards, PACA regulations, and FSMA compliance. Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills across internal teams and external partners. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment. Passion for food and commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience. Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level Employment Type
Full‑time Job Function
Marketing and Sales Industries
Food and Beverage Services
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Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc. provides the finest ingredients from around the world. For more than 30 years, the company has supported the food industry using cutting‑edge logistics, a modern supply chain, and an unwavering commitment to service. Today, we are the trusted distribution partner for top hotels, restaurants, country clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, and culinary professionals across the region. Position
Center of Plate Category Specialist Pay Range
$80,000.00/yr – $100,000.00/yr (based on skills and experience) Overview
Baldor Specialty Foods is seeking a Center of Plate Category Specialist to lead the strategic and tactical development of our protein category—including meat, poultry, and seafood. Reporting to the Director of Sales, this role will drive category growth, support pricing and go‑to‑market activity, and ensure profitability through data‑driven decision‑making and strong business partnerships. The specialist will act as the subject matter expert for Center of Plate products, collaborating with Sales, Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain to deliver measurable results across all channels: Foodservice, Wholesale, National Accounts, and Retail. Responsibilities
Develop and execute category‑specific strategies to achieve sales and margin objectives. Maintain a deep understanding of market dynamics, commodity trends, and cost structures to identify risks and opportunities. Conduct ongoing analysis of category performance, including promotional effectiveness, pricing, and assortment optimization. Prepare weekly and monthly reviews of key metrics impacting financial performance. Build and maintain strong relationships with supplier partners to negotiate programs and secure competitive pricing. Evaluate supplier proposals using financial and non‑financial criteria to recommend awards. Drive supplier performance improvements in cost, quality, and service. Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Merchandising to develop promotional plans and selling programs. Communicate category initiatives and updates to internal teams, ensuring alignment and execution. Support new product launches with training, demos, and marketing rollout plans. Provide product knowledge and category insights to Sales Executives and Regional Sales Managers. Assist in developing tools and playbooks to support upselling and cross‑selling strategies. Participate in field coaching and customer visits to reinforce category positioning. Ensure adherence to FSMA requirements and USDA grading standards. Identify and implement cost‑saving measures using a Total Cost of Ownership approach. Support continuous improvement initiatives across category management processes. Requirements and Skills
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Culinary Arts, or related field. 3–5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or sales within the protein category. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, V‑lookups) and PowerPoint. Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (Dynamics 365 a plus). Knowledge of USDA grading standards, PACA regulations, and FSMA compliance. Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills across internal teams and external partners. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment. Passion for food and commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience. Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level Employment Type
Full‑time Job Function
Marketing and Sales Industries
Food and Beverage Services
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