Senior Manager, Produce Sourcing at Sysco in Salinas, California

Sr Manager, Sourcing Produce

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT Up to 10% travel (produce focused conventions and supplier visits)

JOB SUMMARY The Sr Manager, Sourcing Produce creates and enables various Fruit and Vegetable contracts and oversees execution of the launch to the field and assortment strategy for assigned categories, based on insights, analysis, and collaboration with internal Sysco business partners and sales partners. This position is responsible for working in the PGM process with all internal and external cross-functional teams. Success in this role depends on ensuring decisions focus on customer service excellence and Sysco's Strategic Priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prospect and research leads within assigned category.
• Develop the program and prepare the Produce Proposal Agreement, including:
• Knowledge of customer requirements.
• Standard inventory items.
• Specialty items.
• Proprietary/contract items and suppliers.
• Development of program files, including cost and sell parameters.
• Evaluation of inventory impact and coordination of lead times.
• Establishment of programmed price lists/inventory guides (OIC).
• Coordination with operating companies for input and approval.
• Presentation of Produce Proposal Agreements to prospects.
• Distribution and communication of signed Sales and Service Agreements to participating Sysco companies
• Administer Produce Agreements by outlining customer program procedures.
• Organize orientations with regional operations personnel, managers, and servicing companies.
• Coordinate in-service education and training to ensure proper product ordering, handling, and utilization.
• Control and review programmed accounts on a routine basis, including:
• Monthly sales summaries and purchase recaps.
• Profitability and service cost analyses.
• Evaluation of Sysco performance and program adherence.
• Periodic and quarterly reviews with customer management.
• Development of innovative products for marketing through operating companies and end-user customers.
• Participation in operating company reviews and category presentations.
• Contribution to department goals and objectives.
• Plan and oversee customer presentations and product education
• Sell direct shipments through utilization of Sysco Procurement
• Work with district managers, regional managers, area managers, vice presidents of operations, and purchasing personnel within customer organizations.
• Sales leads and prospective customer opportunities are obtained through referrals from peers, corporate personnel, trade publications, and directors of operating companies' program accounts
• Coordinate price verification between chain customers and Sysco operating companies.
• Participate in trade conventions, customer conventions, educational meetings, and national sales meetings.
• Participate in semi-annual regional meetings with operating companies within the assigned region.

Education Required: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience Required: 4 years Food Service or Retail Produce purchasing

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
• Experience working in Agile environments and managing projects through iterative planning and execution.
• Strong strategic partnership skills, collaborating with initiative owners and cross-functional teams to evaluate progress, identify risks, and optimize deployment strategies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities with demonstrated effectiveness across all organizational levels.
• Skilled presenter capable of tailoring messages to frontline employees, leadership teams, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to proactively align resources, stakeholders, and priorities to achieve business objectives.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Experienced in facilitating cross-functional meetings to gather requirements, define business needs, and support solution development.
• Demonstrated program management expertise with strengths in strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and execution excellence.
• Ability to influence and drive alignment across teams in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Adaptable, dependable, and resilient with a strong work ethic and commitment to results.
• Collaborative team player who effectively partners with diverse stakeholders toward common goals.
• Self-starter who takes initiative, embraces ownership, and contributes innovative ideas and solutions.

Physical Demands: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Employees will be sitting for extended periods, stand, and walk. Employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms for typing and over all computer work.