Category Manager

IRP Meat & Seafood Co. is seeking a full-time Category Manager to work directly with company leadership in the daily management of the business. This role sits at the center of purchasing, pricing, production, and communication. The right candidate will take ownership of key protein categories, make real-time decisions that impact margin, and help drive operational execution across the company. This is a high-responsibility, high-visibility role with a clear path into broader operational leadership. Core Responsibilities Purchasing & Category Management (Primary Focus) Manage daily purchasing across meat categories (beef, pork, veal, lamb, poultry, wild game) and frozen/other categories (desserts, hors d'oeuvres, pasta, cheese, etc.) Maintain proper raw material levels to support production without overexposing inventory Analyze market conditions and take positions on key items (especially beef subprimals) to optimize cost and availability Build and manage supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and supply Production Coordination & Scheduling Work directly with production managers to align raw material availability with production needs Participate in daily scheduling discussions to improve throughput Act as a bridge between purchasing and production to ensure smooth execution Pricing & Margin Management Oversee yield testing to determine true production cost Partner with leadership to set and adjust pricing based on market conditions and cost inputs Establish and maintain baseline "market costs" across sales channels Sales Team Communication Serve as the primary link between purchasing and the sales team Communicate daily "no stock," substitutions, and backorder updates Support sales with product availability, special orders, and par level guidance Broader Responsibilities (Growth Scope) Inventory & Financial Awareness Support monthly physical inventory Analyze category-level profitability and identify opportunities to improve margins Adjust purchasing and pricing strategies based on performance data Labor & Operational Efficiency Work with leadership and production managers to improve labor efficiency Identify opportunities to better align staffing with production demand Contribute to decisions around process improvements and capital expenditures Strategic Relationships Support management of key supplier and high-volume customer relationships Participate in select industry events and food shows (limited travel) What This Role Actually Requires Strong decision-making ability under time pressure Comfort working with imperfect information in a fast-moving environment Commercial mindset—understanding margin, not just cost Ability to communicate clearly across sales, production, and leadership High level of ownership and accountability Qualifications Experience in purchasing, category management, or supply chain (protein/meat industry preferred but not required) Strong analytical and numerical skills Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Outlook; ERP experience a plus Ability to manage multiple priorities and make quick, informed decisions Schedule Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Position Trajectory This role is designed to evolve into a broader operational leadership position, working closely with the ownership team on business performance, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making. Company Background For more than 40 years, IRP Meat & Seafood Co. has been serving the protein needs of the most discerning chefs. Our customer base has grown to include over 500 restaurants, country-clubs, hotels, casinos, universities, and healthcare institutions. We are a family run business with a passionate workforce committed to inspiring others. We work together to ensure a consistently high level of quality products are delivered to our customers. IRP offers a supportive, fast-paced work environment. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and more!

Pay:

$100,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Prescription drug insurance Relocation assistance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person