Category Manager, Produce

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at  and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are.

In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.

Similar to our recipes, we recognize that variety is the spice of life, and therefore, our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. We're eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chef's offerings.

The Category Manager, Produce owns the end-to-end category strategy, sourcing, and supplier management for Home Chef's fresh produce program. This role is responsible for building and executing sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, and supply assurance while supporting menu innovation and operational excellence across Home Chef's network of fulfillment centers. The Manager partners cross-functionally with Culinary, Quality, Procurement, and Operations to drive category performance, mitigate supply risk, and continuously improve supplier partnerships and produce program standards.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Own the produce category sourcing strategy, including cost management, supply assurance, and quality optimization.
• Lead supplier identification, vetting, and onboarding in collaboration with Food Safety, Quality, and Procurement Operations teams.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify industry trends, seasonal availability, and pricing dynamics affecting produce supply.
• Develop and manage RFPs, bid analyses, and supplier negotiations to deliver competitive total cost of ownership and long-term value.
• Evaluate sourcing decisions based on supplier capability, risk, cost structure, and logistics alignment.
• Collaborate with Culinary and Product Development teams to support menu innovation, new product launches, and spec optimization.

• Serve as the primary contact for produce suppliers, managing relationships to ensure alignment with Home Chef's operational and quality expectations.
• Establish and monitor supplier KPIs, including on-time performance, quality adherence, and cost compliance.
• Lead regular business reviews with key suppliers to evaluate performance, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to validate pricing, volume forecasts, and cost changes.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance through feedback, audits, and corrective action management.
• Participate in Produce Expo visits to collaborate with new and existing vendors.

• Partner closely with Culinary, FSQA, Operations, Procurement, and Distribution teams to ensure alignment between category strategy and execution.
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to resolve supply shortages, quality issues, or logistics disruptions at fulfillment centers.
• Work cross-functionally to develop produce handling, storage, and specification standards that improve product quality and shelf life.
• Support the forecasting and planning process by providing insight into seasonal trends, yield considerations, and market fluctuations.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Buyers and Category Associates supporting the produce category.
• Foster collaboration across the broader Category Management and Procurement teams to ensure alignment and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the Produce category internally as the subject matter expert for supplier landscape, product trends, and category performance.

Financial & Analytical Management:

• Own category-level cost forecasting and budgeting, analyzing trends to identify cost reduction and efficiency opportunities.
• Review and analyze category spend data to monitor performance and ensure compliance with budgetary targets.
• Partner with the Sourcing Analytics & Strategy team to assess category performance, benchmark pricing, and evaluate sourcing scenarios.
• Support development of KPI dashboards and category reports that track savings, cost drivers, and supplier metrics.

This position requires up to 30% travel.

Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or other characteristics needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• 4+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods
• Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel
• Experience in relationship management
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field

Perks and benefits

• Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

We are humble team players.
We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers.
We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership.
We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you'll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at 

Home Chef offers the base salary range as posted below, with the exact offer depending on factors such as geographic location, experience, skills, and internal equity. While compensation is within the provided range, it is not typical for offers to be made at the upper end. In addition to base salary, Home Chef provides a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, 401k match, and paid time off.

Illinois Pay Range

$75,000 - $90,000 USD

To view the California Applicant Notice click here