🚀 Category Owner

Join to apply for the Category/Sr. Category Owner role at HAVI

Full/Part-time: Full time

Job Category: Planning

City: Chicago

HAVI is a global, privately owned company focused on innovating, optimizing and managing the supply chains of leading brands. Offering services in marketing analytics, packaging, supply chain management and logistics, HAVI partners with companies to address challenges big and small across the supply chain, from commodity to customer. Founded in 1974, HAVI employs more than 10,000 people and serves customers in more than 100 countries. HAVI’s supply chain services are complemented by the customer engagement services offered by our affiliated company The Marketing Store. For more information, please visit HAVI.com.

Hybrid role based at 345 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607. Candidates must reside in the Chicago metropolitan area. Relocation assistance is not offered at this time.

Overview

Do you have a passion for supply chain and a desire to lead food and packaging categories on behalf of one of the biggest brands in the world? The Supply Chain Category Owner role is a key internal and client facing partner creating the strategy and executing the process of assuring supply and minimizing obsolescence to support successful promotions in the Quick Service Food Industry. In this highly visible role, you will develop and monitor replenishment plans, make recommendations, conduct root cause analysis, and drive continuous improvement. This role will be the face to multiple customers in collaboration with the offshore operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external customers. Conduct account management activities with suppliers, DCs and customers, ensuring effective communication
• Develop and maintain collaborative business relationships with cross-functional HAVI departments, offshore teams
• Review and approve the production and distribution of forecasts and inventory management plans in support of promotional items
• Review and finalize with the supplier: promotional capacity analyses and financial risk assessments to identify potential constraints and/or exposure and create recommended contingency plans to mitigate or minimize risk
• Accountability for ensuring inventory optimization across the supply chain network in accordance with target service levels for the assigned category/promotion while minimizing costs
• Develop & communicate project news, issues, status, & reports. Make recommendations & raise escalations as necessary to appropriate stakeholders, including management
• Conduct regular customer, supplier, DC level communication meetings. Distribute and discuss program supply status with collaborative reporting to drive system alignment and achievement of program objectives
• Create, develop, & drive new ideas & processes that advance continuous improvement, innovation, and customer satisfaction
• Responsible to manage assigned projects, timelines, & team deliverables to meet customer objectives and milestones
• Performs other duties as required

Education, Work Experience & Skills

• Related Supply Chain Management experience (2-7 years preferred)
• University Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Operations or a relevant discipline
• Experience with Inventory/Demand/ERP Applications & Reporting Tools (JDA, JDE, OBIEE, Tableau, PowerBI)
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytics is a plus
• Experience in a direct client interfacing role preferred
• Proficient with Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Sharepoint)

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with both internal and external customers
• Ability to manage and prioritize different tasks, effectively balance priorities, and be accepting of ambiguity
• Command skills
• Ability to collaborate with others in a cross-functional, cross-geography environment and to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills appropriate across all levels of the organization, including external customers
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and come up with alternative solutions
• Starting Salary for Category Owner is $85,000-$95,000 with a 5% targeted bonus
• Starting Salary for Senior Category Owner is $95,000-$105,000 with a 5% targeted bonus

Total Rewards

Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:

• Our commitment to rewarding results
• Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers’—and our company’s—success

Inclusive employee resource groups

Benefits

• Generous Medical, Dental, Vision And Other Great Benefits
• Paid parental and medical leave programs
• 401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
• 15 days of paid time off plus company holidays
• Hybrid work model with flexibility
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Recruiting Agencies

HAVI does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the HAVI Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, HAVI employees, or any other company location. HAVI is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago