Candy Category Manager

Candy Category Manager

Location: Queens, NY (Hybrid)

About the Company

Our client is a nationally recognized wholesale distributor serving thousands of food-service operators coast-to-coast. With a footprint that spans dozens of high-volume warehouses and a product catalog topping 20,000 items, they are investing heavily in category leadership and data-driven merchandising. The Candy Category Manager will spearhead a high-growth portfolio – confections, novelty items, and seasonal favorites – driving strategy and execution that delight customers and grow margin.

What You’ll Tackle

• Shape the vision for a best-in-class candy assortment, balancing everyday core items with trend-forward innovations and seasonal programs.
• Own P&L performance – price architecture, vendor income, promotional ROI, and inventory productivity.
• Turn POS, margin, and supply-chain data into actionable insights at national and regional levels.
• Secure cost, terms, and service advantages with global and domestic confectionery suppliers.
• Run the holiday playbook (Halloween, Valentine’s, Easter, Christmas) so stores receive the right mix at the right time.
• Partner with marketing and store operations on signage, planograms, and impulse-zone execution.
• Leverage advanced Excel modeling to predict demand, flag risks, and brief senior leadership.
• Ensure every SKU meets labeling, food-safety, and procurement standards.
• Serve as the in-house candy authority, coaching cross-functional teams and junior analysts.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 7+ years in category management, purchasing, or merchandising within food, CPG, or convenience channels; confectionery a plus.
• Demonstrated record of vendor negotiation that lifts margin and lowers total cost.
• Advanced Excel skill set (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data modeling). ERP exposure to SAP or Oracle preferred.
• Strong communicator comfortable presenting to executives and collaborating with store-level teams.

Compensation & Perks

• Competitive base salary plus performance bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Employee discount, tuition reimbursement, and professional-development stipend

Why This Role Stands Out

• High visibility: Own a top-selling category for a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
• Innovation runway: Introduce trend-driven products and data tools that reshape how the company goes to market.
• Career springboard: This role feeds into senior merchandising leadership for those who outperform.
• Hybrid flexibility: Enjoy the energy of the Queens HQ while preserving work-life balance two days a week from home.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS