Associate, Category Management
About this role
Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are.
In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.
Similar to our recipes, we recognize that variety is the spice of life, and therefore, our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. We’re eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chef’s offerings.
The Associate Category Manager is responsible for building a national category strategy by researching suppliers, performing RFPs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and also executing that strategy at the plant level.
Detailed Responsibilities
Category Strategy
- Research the supply chain, industry structure, and potential supplier partners by using online tools, industry resources, and talking to suppliers
- Conduct research into supplier capabilities and product portfolios
- Create and present recommendations for sourcing strategies based on data-driven research
- Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans with our distribution/fulfillment centers
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Support the plants by improving efficiencies, manage category costs, and reducing fulfillment and cost risk within the Home Chef supply chain.
- Work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Culinary, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, Procurement) to compare supplier samples, align on product spec and troubleshoot quality concerns
- Assist in managing emergency supply shorts and use category expertise to expedite replacement products or substitutes to plant teams
Minor Sourcing Project Management
- Conduct supplier discovery, exploratory conversations, and research
- Ensure NDAs are signed and draft RFP documentation
- Analyze bids received and provide pricing feedback to suppliers
- Make sourcing recommendations to category managers
Vendor Management
- Work and communicate with supplier partners to ensure that category goals are met
- Share short-term and long-term forecasts with vendors
- Address quality and fulfillment-related issues with the vendors and make sure corrective actions are taken
- Collect required documentation from vendors to meet FSQA guidelines
Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.
- 1+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods
- Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel
- Experience in relationship management
- Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field
More About Us
Perks and Benefits
- Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
- Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
- Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
- 401k program
- Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses
How We Work Together
We are humble team players.
We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.
We are pragmatic next-level thinkers.
We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.
We take ownership.
We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.
Be at Home at Home Chef
We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you’ll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.
We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.
Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at [email protected].
Home Chef offers the base salary range as posted below, with the exact offer depending on factors such as geographic location, experience, skills, and internal equity. While compensation is within the provided range, it is not typical for offers to be made at the upper end. In addition to base salary, Home Chef provides a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, 401k match, and paid time off.
To view the California Applicant Notice click here
Company at a glance
At Home Chef, we believe mealtime should be simple, delicious, and tailored to every lifestyle. We’re a team of chefs, creators, problem-solvers, and innovators working together to transform how people experience food at home. Whether it’s through our classic meal kits, express options, or Ready-to-Heat meals, we’re focused on delivering convenient, high-quality meals to kitchens across the country.
We’re proud to introduce Tempo, our newest Ready-to-Heat brand designed for speed and flavor without compromise. Tempo offers chef-curated, microwave-ready meals crafted to keep up with today’s fast pace—bringing fresh variety and ease to busy lives. It’s just one more way we’re innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Our culture is grounded in autonomy, inclusion, and trust. We move quickly, think creatively, and support one another through every challenge and win. Our employees are empowered to bring bold ideas to the table, and that entrepreneurial spirit continues to fuel our rapid growth. It’s what earned us Built In Chicago’s “Best Places to Work” in 2024 & 2025, and it’s what drives us as we grow across all departments and locations.
If you're looking for a company where your voice matters, your ideas are valued, and your work makes a real impact—we’d love to meet you. Join us as we continue to grow, innovate, and deliver meals people love!
Top Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Paid holidays
- Sick time
- Vacation time
- 401k program
- Flexible spending accounts
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