FreshEdge is a growing network of produce and specialty distributors serving customers across 25 states. We combine strong local relationships with shared scale, infrastructure, and expertise. As we expand our non-produce capabilities, we are investing in experienced leaders who can drive meaningful category growth across our network.

FreshEdge is looking for a Director of Merchandising to lead our Proteins and Dairy categories. We are scaling quickly and need ambitious, innovative leaders. This role will help establish clear category direction, simplify assortments and vendor strategies, and create repeatable execution across the FreshEdge family of companies.

The Director is expected to raise the bar on performance, challenge existing assumptions, and accelerate growth in categories that materially impact company profitability. Success in this role requires initiative, strong commercial instincts, and the confidence to make disciplined decisions in dynamic commodity markets. 

Essential Functions:

• Own overall performance for Proteins and Dairy, including sales, margin, product mix, vendor selection, program development and assortment productivity
• Set category direction and priorities that balance growth, profitability, and operational realities
• Identify and pursue outsized growth opportunities within your categories, not just incremental improvements
• Challenge legacy assortment and vendor decisions and drive change when results demand it
• Establish high performance standards and hold Category Managers accountable to them
• Act with urgency in responding to commodity market movement and competitive shifts
• Review performance trends, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions through Category Managers
• Lead strategies in commodity-driven markets with a strong understanding of how proteins, cheese, eggs and dairy are priced and sourced
• Translate market movement (indices, seasonality, supply cycles) into clear buying and pricing guidance for OpCos
• Guide Category Managers on forward buys, inventory management, and spot buy opportunities
• Lead vendor and assortment optimization efforts while protecting customer needs
• Align assortment strategy to FreshEdge’s operating model and customer segmentation
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Sales leadership, and Vendors to drive execution
• Influence adoption across independently operated OpCos by grounding recommendations in local economics and customer needs and clearly communicating value propositions
• Own senior-level vendor relationships for Proteins and Dairy
• Structure pricing programs and agreements that reflect market dynamics and support long-term growth
• Set clear expectations with vendors on growth priorities, performance, and local sales support
• Lead key negotiations in partnership with Category Managers to optimize outcomes
• Reduce cost and volatility through vendor mix, product specification discipline, and scale where appropriate

Competencies:

• Strong commercial drive with a bias toward action and results
• Confident decision-maker who is comfortable taking calculated risks in commodity-driven environments
• High expectations for performance and accountability, both personally and across the team
• Proven ability to partner with vendors on pricing structures tied to market indices or forward positions
• Strong interpersonal skills; great communicator and relationship builder who can influence across functions and levels
• Business acumen, including financial, analytical, and qualitative reasoning skills; problem solver
• Understands and can organize financial reports and metrics towards actionable plans
• Decision maker able to prioritize and weigh both short- and long-term goals
• Comfortable and competent with Microsoft 365 applications especially Excel and PowerPoint

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related field
• 7+ years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, or commercial leadership
• Demonstrated history of materially growing a category, not simply maintaining established performance
• Experience leading complex, market-related categories such as Proteins, Dairy, or similarly operationally intensive areas. Direct Proteins and/or Cheese experience preferred.
• Experience managing commodity-linked pricing models (index-based, market-adjusted, or formula pricing)
• Experience working in decentralized, multi-site, or post-acquisition environments
• Familiarity with major protein and dairy market drivers and reporting sources (e.g., USDA, CME, Urner Barry)
• Experience leading buying strategies that manage cost risk and margin in categories with frequent market movement
• Strong understanding of category financials, including margin drivers, product mix, vendor programs, and cost structures

Job Location:

• Remote
• Up to 25% travel required as business needs dictate

Compensation:

• $180,000 - $240,000
• Eligible for annual bonus 

Benefits:

• Health & Welfare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life)
• Paid Time Off
• Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid weekly
• Career Advancement Opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.