North American Program Sales Category Specialist

About the position

The North American Program Sales Category Specialist serves as the strategic lead and GFS Brand Champion for assigned product categories within the Program Sales segment with a heavy emphasis on National Multi-Unit Accounts across North America. Maintains the direct ownership of customer and vendor relationships within product categories to drive and secure profitable growth. Acts as the primary architect for high-impact product conversions within a multi billion dollar segment, leveraging strong financial acumen to maximize Gordon Food Service (GFS) sales and margin returns, all while operating in a grey and complex environment. Executes full-cycle category management, from developing growth strategies to negotiating and authorizing customer-specific program pricing and vendor contracts. Proactively leads cross-functional collaboration with National Account Sales Teams to deliver consultative solutions that ensure long-term category health and brand loyalty.

Responsibilities

  • Develops and executes category-specific growth strategies for National & Regional Multi-Unit Accounts, with full accountability for profit targets.
  • Leverages Data & Analytics to prescribe and execute data-driven product conversion and marketing strategies directly aimed at improving GFS Brand sales & margin.
  • Supports NA Multi Unit Accounts product development activities to maximize Gordon Food Service (GFS) sales and profits of assigned product lines.
  • Serves as the strategic architect for all customer-led RFPs within assigned categories. Conducts the end to end analytical framework and go to market recommendations.
  • Negotiates and authorizes customer-specific program pricing and vendor contracts
  • Cultivates and leverages a high-impact strategic network across the Enterprise, Vendor Community, and Field Leadership to drive cross-functional alignment and accelerate the achievement of North American business objectives.
  • Acts as the strategic category consultant for end customers and vendors for assigned categories.
  • Leverages data and analytics to pinpoint and capture incremental margin & case growth opportunities with the Program Sales Segment.
  • Provides problem analysis and resolution to customer and National Account Sales Team on product related concerns.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Five or more years previous marketing/sales experience with emphasis in product/category/supply chain knowledge, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Marketing, Sales, or other related field required
  • Must be results oriented and have excellent team skills
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, resource and time management skills
  • Strong financial acumen
  • Demonstrates exceptional active listening, verbal, and written communication skills to effectively present findings, share strategies, and collaborate with teams.
  • Possesses strong organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple projects, create and follow processes, and deliver results on time.
  • Applies knowledge of marketing, product merchandising, and customer service principles to meet customer needs and ensure satisfaction.
  • Leverages business and management principles to drive strategic planning, foster creativity, and generate innovative ideas.
  • Utilizes logic, data analysis, and critical thinking to identify complex problems, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions.
  • Proficient in using analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Access) to provide insights and support decision-making.
Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...