Category Manager (Packaged)

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.

Since launching a pilot in Spring 2018, we have expanded and evolved, now serving multiple markets from Chicago to Connecticut. We have aggressive growth plans backed by experienced venture capital partners, and we are excited about bringing school lunch up to a modern standard.

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.

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

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 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

We pride ourselves on being a good employer, and to that end we provide:

• $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