Protein Commodity Merchandising Manager

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. Here’s a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There’s a seat at our table for you…

We are seeking a decisive, high‑energy, market‑oriented COP Commodity Category Manager to spearhead the incremental growth of our Protein category. While our Core Merchandising Manager maintains the foundational portfolio, you are the "Market Specialist." You will sit at the centre of the action: responding to time‑sensitive offers, collaborating with our Strategic Alliances, Specialty Companies, Vendor network and Sales teams and managing our COP Contracting program.

We need a professional who thrives under pressure and can bridge the gap between global commodity trends and local market needs, ensuring our product portfolio and buy‑side costs translate into a winning sell‑side position.

The successful candidate must be able to commute to the Calgary or Edmonton Distribution Center for the current 4 days a week minimum.

Position currently requires 10% of travel to other distribution centers.

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
• Full Flex benefits program
• Company matching RRSP
• Profit Sharing
• Family culture and advancement opportunities

• Speedy & Decisive Action:
  In this fast‑paced environment, you will make purchasing decisions on time‑sensitive offers through our Strategic Alliances, Specialty Companies and Vendor network, ensuring we secure market advantages before they disappear.
• Continuous Market Monitoring:
  Monitor the competitive landscape and commodity fluctuations in real‑time. You are responsible for ensuring we are competitively positioned allowing our sales team to win at the street level.
• Risk & Capacity Management:
  Manage higher‑risk inventory by analyzing volume, DC capacity and market volatility before directing large, opportunistic buys.
• Sales & Marketing Synergy:
  Act as a critical resource for the sales and product specialist teams by sourcing unique products and "opportunity buys" that drive incremental customer interest.

• Strategic Coordination:
  Analyze volume, Distribution Centre (DC) capacity, and market volatility before directing large, high‑risk buys.
• Cross‑Functional Synergy:
  You are the connective tissue between the Core COP Divisional Merchandising Manager, Sales, Supply Chain and Revenue Management. You must be an exceptional collaborator to ensure opportunity buys are supported and sold through effectively.

• Supplier‑Side Contracting:
  Act as primary point person with our Strategic Alliances and Specialty Company to secure contracts for key items at volumes and prices that will drive category growth.
• Customer‑Side Contracting:
  Manage the division’s protein contracting program for customers. Ensure that supply‑side costs align with customer‑side commitments to protect margins and ensure reliable distribution.
• Contract Performance:
  Monitor and elevate contract performance issues, ensuring that both vendors and the division meet their volume and pricing obligations.

• Diverse Sourcing:
  Utilize a mix of national partners, strategic alliances, specialty companies and local/regional sources to ensure our portfolio remains market‑relevant and competitive.
• Contract Negotiation:
  Lead negotiations with new regional suppliers, collaborating with Strategic Procurement to expand our local footprint.
• National/Regional Alignment:
  Represent the unique needs of the local market to the North American Category Team, ensuring regional agility within national frameworks. You must skillfully balance national strategies with unique regional demands, ensuring our local portfolio is relevant without diverging from long‑range company goals.
• Seasonal Gap Analysis:
  Proactively anticipate seasonal demand and commodity cycles by securing supply and cost advantages ahead of peak periods, including executing forward…