Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...
Drive Strategy. Build Partnerships. Grow Categories.At Gordon Food Service, we're looking for a motivated, results-driven professional to join our Stores team as a Category Manager. Whether your experience is in buying, merchandising, product management, or category strategy, we're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas, strong business acumen, and the ability to turn opportunities into results!
In this role, you'll take ownership of assigned product categories, developing strategies that influence what we sell, how we price it, and how we stay competitive. You'll work closely with suppliers and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, improve profitability, and deliver products that meet our customers' evolving needs.
If you enjoy combining data, creativity, negotiation, and business strategy to make a measurable impact, this could be a great next step in your career!
What You'll DoOwn Category Strategy & Business Growth
- Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and product growth.
- Build annual category plans that align with company objectives and customer needs.
- Manage product assortment, pricing, margins, promotions, and product lifecycle decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve category performance, reduce costs, and increase profitability.
Turn Data Into Business Decisions
- Analyze sales performance, customer purchasing behavior, market trends, and competitive activity.
- Use data and financial insights to develop pricing strategies, forecast demand, and identify growth opportunities.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust strategies to achieve category goals.
- Stay informed about emerging products, consumer preferences, and industry developments.
Build Vendor Relationships & Negotiate Opportunities
- Develop strong partnerships with suppliers to support product innovation, competitive pricing, and business growth.
- Negotiate vendor costs, promotional support, marketing investments, and other business agreements.
- Identify new products and supplier opportunities that differentiate Gordon Food Service Stores from competitors.
Collaborate & Lead
- Partner with Marketing, Merchandising, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Store Operations to execute category initiatives.
- Work with regional leaders to understand store needs and develop solutions that support the business.
- Communicate category strategies, performance insights, and opportunities to key stakeholders.
- Lead, coach, and develop team members, where applicable, to support department goals.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who understands how to manage a category as a business, balancing customer needs, financial performance, and long-term growth.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
- 4+ years of relevant professional experience in category management, product management, merchandising, purchasing, buying, or a closely related business function.
- Experience developing and executing strategies that improve sales, margins, profitability, or category performance.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data, sales trends, and market insights to make informed business decisions.
- Experience working with suppliers, managing vendor relationships, or negotiating business agreements.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a strategic, results-oriented mindset.
Experience That Will Help You Stand Out
- Previous experience in foodservice, grocery, retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or a related industry.
- Understanding of product assortment planning, pricing strategies, vendor negotiations, and promotional planning.
- Experience managing category budgets, financial performance, or profit-and-loss (P&L) responsibilities.
- Experience leading projects, influencing cross-functional teams, or developing employees.
- Terminal purchasing experience, depending on the assigned product category.
Why This Role Matters
As a Category Manager, your decisions directly influence the products our stores offer, the value we deliver to customers, and the overall success of our business.
We're looking for someone who can see the bigger picture, recognize opportunities, build meaningful partnerships, and turn business insights into results.
Why Join Our Team?
- 💰 Competitive Compensation – Competitive salary based on experience + profit sharing
- 🏡 Hybrid Work Schedule – 4 days in the office and 1 day working from home
- 🕒 Flexible Work Hours – Enjoy flexibility that supports work-life balance
- 🩺 Affordable Benefits – Low-cost health and insurance plans
- 📈 401(k) & Profit Sharing – Build your financial future with valuable retirement benefits
- 🏆 Bonus Potential – Opportunity to earn an additional 20% via bonus based on performance
- 🤝 Servant Leadership Culture – Work with leaders who value their people, support professional growth, and empower their teams to succeed
Ready to make an impact? Apply today!
Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to [email protected] and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.
All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.
Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
- 4+ years of relevant experience in category management, product management, merchandising, purchasing, buying, or a related function
- Experience developing and executing strategies that improve sales, margins, profitability, or category performance
- Strong analytical skills interpreting financial data, sales trends, and market insights
- Experience managing supplier relationships or negotiating business agreements
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with a strategic, results-oriented mindset
- Experience in foodservice, grocery, retail, consumer packaged goods, or a related industry
- Understanding of assortment planning, pricing strategies, vendor negotiations, and promotional planning
- Experience managing category budgets, financial performance, or P&L responsibilities
- Experience leading projects, influencing cross-functional teams, or developing employees
- Terminal purchasing experience, depending on assigned category
Gordon Food Service Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Gordon Food Service and has not been reviewed or approved by Gordon Food Service.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Incentive-based pay for warehouse selectors and drivers enables higher earnings when performance targets are exceeded, with overtime, bonuses, and profit sharing adding to total pay. These mechanisms are portrayed as dependable ways to boost compensation for physically demanding roles.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) access with profit sharing—and in some cases employer matching—is highlighted as a meaningful component of the package. Pre-tax savings options and disability coverage further reinforce long-term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage are paired with mental-health and employee-assistance resources. Offerings are described as solid and relatively comprehensive, with availability for full- and part-time employees subject to eligibility rules.
Gordon Food Service Insights
What We Do
We’ve grown to become the largest family-operated broadline food service distributor in North America by upholding the same business approach since 1897—being passionately committed to the people we serve. We believe in the power of good food—to bring people together and make moments special. Every product, every order, and every decision we make is inspired by the people on the other side of the plate. We distribute to foodservice operators throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest regions of the U.S. and coast to coast in Canada. Our company also operates more than 170 Gordon Food Service Stores, which are open to the public and provide the benefits of restaurant-quality products and friendly, knowledgeable service. Gordon Food Service Stores do not charge a membership fee. Gordon Food Service Stores are the primary supplier for many small foodservice operators, including: restaurants, churches, daycare providers, caterers, event planners, and other small businesses. We offer a broad range of employment opportunities throughout our corporate offices, distribution centers, and retail stores. We have a strong commitment to our employees and foster an environment that promotes internal growth, training, and career development opportunities. Gordon Food Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
