Category Manager - Dairy
Vaco by HighspringCategory Manager Location: Greater Pasadena Area, CA Schedule: Onsite, 5 days per week Compensation: $125,000-$145,000 base salary Department: Merchandising About the Opportunity We are partnering with a nationally recognized, food-focused retail organization to hire an experienced Category Manager. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key product category and play an integral role in product selection, sourcing, vendor strategy, pricing, inventory, and overall category performance. The ideal candidate brings strong grocery, food, or consumer product category management experience and has a genuine passion for identifying unique products and delivering value to the customer. Responsibilities * Own category strategy across product selection, value, vendor relationships, fulfillment, negotiations, and inventory quality * Partner with merchandising leadership to establish and achieve sales, margin, SKU, and unit targets * Stay closely informed on category trends, commodity pricing, market conditions, production capacity, and emerging products * Manage vendor relationships and supply chain performance, ensuring negotiated agreements, quality standards, and fulfillment expectations are met * Source, evaluate, and introduce new products while identifying opportunities to strengthen and diversify the vendor base * Partner with buyers and broader product teams to support fill rates, inventory quality, and fulfillment goals * Evaluate product quality, pricing, customer value, and overall category performance * Build strong relationships with manufacturers and vendors while leading negotiations * Collaborate cross-functionally with merchandising, product development, operations, and other internal teams Qualifications * 5+ years of experience in category management, buying, sourcing, procurement, or merchandising within grocery, food, retail, or a related consumer products environment * Dairy, refrigerated, fresh, or perishable food category experience strongly preferred * Strong experience sourcing and evaluating new food products * Demonstrated vendor management and negotiation experience * Understanding of commodity markets, pricing, margins, and retail-based mathematics * Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing retail environment * Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills * Proficiency in Microsoft Office * Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Equal Opportunity Notice Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal . Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified po…