Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Hobbies and Interests
Languages
Timeline
Generic

GRACE Ge

Vaughan,Canada

Summary

Experienced Food Service Category Manager with a proven track record of success in developing and implementing effective category strategies and plans. Skilled in conducting comprehensive market research to identify consumer trends, preferences, and competitor activities, particularly in the Dry Grocery Category. Diligent in fostering strong vendor connections and spearheading negotiations. Sensitive to market shifts and client preferences to achieve optimal outcomes.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Category Manger

Sysco Canada
08.2022 - Current
  • Develop and implement category strategies and plans
  • Conduct market research and analysis to identify consumer trends, preferences, and competitor activities related to the Dry Grocery Category
  • Provided ongoing training for new sales, Participates in Sales Meeting’s to support category growth aligned with corporate and regional direction
  • Worked closely with other departments within the organization to ensure smooth delivery of services.
  • Collaborate with marketing teams to develop and execute promotional campaigns, limited time offers, and pricing strategies to drive customer traffic and increase sales.
  • Source and evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships to ensure high-quality ingredients, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.
  • Monitor and analyze sales performance, item profitability, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for item optimization and improvement.
  • Executes corporate partnership strategies to drive Sysco Brand and Sourcing growth
  • Negotiates local program agreements, Facilitates item and vendor setups

Buyer II

Canda Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Scarborough, Canada
01.2016 - 05.2022
  • Developed annual buying budget and updated forecasts in concern with department/company, and purchasing goals for merchandise assortments, vendor relations management, and marketing cadences management
  • Defined and implemented category pricing and promotional strategy plans to drive category growth, sales, and profitability
  • Create and oversee special sales-based activities (i.e., vendor contests, programs, events, etc.)
  • Built and maintained professional relationships with current overseas/local suppliers while proactively seeking and evaluating new vendors for cost-saving enhancement
  • Worked with Sales and Marketing Teams ensuring sales forecasts are incorporated into future buying volumes
  • Managed over 30 international supplier accounts with more than $10M USD annual purchase
  • Managed over $15M CAD business across retail and food service
  • Major customers: Loblaws Company Ltd, Walmart, Sobeys, Costco, T&T Supermarket, etc
  • Own and executed product launch process - 100+ unique SKUs in 2019-2020 (seasonal + inline)
  • Complemented private label programs for retail and foodservice products with an 80% starting margin which tripled last year's margin
  • Traveled to Asia for various trade shows and meeting with existing and potential partners

Store Owner

Chang He Dietary Supplement Inc.
Dongyang, China
12.2012 - 10.2015
  • Maintained a rapid revenue growth of the store, tripled in 2 years
  • Maintained proper inventory by the proficient ordering of seasonal and vendor products
  • Managed brand creation, market analysis, competitive pricing and financial forecasting before product launches.

Merchandising Assistant

T&T Supermarket Inc.
Scarborough, Canada
12.2010 - 06.2012
  • Liaison with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and coordinate all CFIA related matter to ensure the compliance with all CFIA requirements
  • Coordinate with freight forwarders and arrange the scheduling of shipments for T&T supermarket Inc
  • Domestic and international orders
  • Assemble data and prepare periodic and special reports, manuals and correspondence.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration -

Acadia University
01.2010

Skills

  • Price Negotiation
  • Vendor Management
  • Trend Anticipation and Forecast
  • Logistics ERP
  • Market Analysis
  • New Product Development
  • Brand Promotion
  • Supply Chain
  • Omnichannel
  • MS Office Products
  • Product Management
  • Vendor Relations
  • Strategic Sourcing
  • Pricing Strategies
  • Sales Tracking
  • Performance Optimization

Affiliations

  • Badminton
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

Hobbies and Interests

  • Exploring distant lands
  • Getting lost in a good book

Languages

English
Full Professional
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native/ Bilingual

Timeline

Category Manger

Sysco Canada
08.2022 - Current

Buyer II

Canda Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd.
01.2016 - 05.2022

Store Owner

Chang He Dietary Supplement Inc.
12.2012 - 10.2015

Merchandising Assistant

T&T Supermarket Inc.
12.2010 - 06.2012

Bachelor of Business Administration -

Acadia University

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GRACE Ge