Specialist, COP (Center of Plate)

Job Description:

• Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more
• Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America's food distribution system
• Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect

• Develop agile sourcing strategies across beef, pork, poultry, seafood, lamb, veal, and value-added proteins.
• Actively monitor commodity markets and proactively manage risk through forward buys, contract programs, or alternative sourcing.
• Identify emerging trends (premium cuts, portion-controlled programs, sustainable proteins, specialty offerings) to expand portfolio and differentiate in the market.
• Introduce new, trend-forward protein programs that drive profitable sales growth.
• Negotiate pricing, incentives, volume programs, and growth-based supplier agreements.

• Drive category profitability through cost control, strategic pricing input, and rebate optimization.
• Develop and leverage strong supplier relationships that unlock rebates, exclusives and innovation.
• Partner with Finance and Sales Leadership on pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with margin integrity.
• Analyze yield, specs, and pack sizes to improve landed cost efficiency.

• Demonstrates the ability to understand and meet the needs of customers; both internal and external. Acts with integrity; is patient, polite and helpful when obtaining information from and providing information and solutions to customers.
• Serve as a strategic partner to Sales-supporting customer bids, large chain opportunities, and growth accounts.
• Provide real-time market intelligence to Sales to strengthen customer conversations.
• Provide rapid response to customer opportunities and bid requests.
• Develop promotional programs and limited-time offerings, in partnership with Marketing Manager and Sales, to stimulate revenue growth.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels to support rapid growth without excessive working capital exposure.
• Ensure high service levels with optimized inventory turns that ensure sell through of products.
• Reduce shrink, spoilage and price discounting through disciplined forecasting and turnover management.
• Collaborate with Operations to maintain cold chain integrity and best-in-class service levels.

• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, fill rate, service, and cost competitiveness.
• Identify opportunities for exclusivity or private-label programs to enhance brand

• Actively participates as a team member toward the completion of goals, taking actions that build productive team relationships within and across departments, and results in high quality team output; works and cooperates with others to meet or exceed team objectives.
• Supports sales team through demonstration and education on COP products.
• Functions as a team member within the department and cross-functions, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.

Benefits:

Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications:

EEO Statement: