CATEGORY SPECIALIST, LOCAL FOODS

Salary Range: $68,739 to $89,361

Position Summary

The Local Foods Category Specialist is responsible for developing and expanding Y. Hata’s portfolio of locally produced food and beverage products through strategic supplier development, product sourcing, and market growth initiatives. This position serves as the primary liaison for local suppliers, identifying new business opportunities, building supplier partnerships, and driving initiatives that support assortment growth, profitability, and Y. Hata’s commitment to local businesses and communities.

The position works collaboratively with Sales, Purchasing, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to evaluate product opportunities, develop supplier relationships, facilitate product launches, and monitor portfolio performance. Through these efforts, the Local Foods Category Specialist plays a key role in strengthening Y. Hata’s local sourcing strategy, expanding market opportunities, and positioning the Company as a preferred distributor of locally produced products.

Essential Duties

Local Supplier Development

• Identifies, recruits, and develops strategic relationships with local food and beverage manufacturers, growers, processors, and emerging suppliers to expand Y. Hata’s local product portfolio.
• Serves as the primary liaison for prospective and existing local suppliers, fostering partnerships that support mutual business growth.
• Evaluates supplier capabilities, product readiness, food safety compliance, production capacity, service levels, and operational compatibility.
• Guides suppliers through onboarding requirements, distribution processes, product specifications, and performance expectations.
• Participates in supplier discussions regarding pricing, terms, promotional allowances, and vendor programs, providing recommendations to Category Management leadership.

Category and Portfolio Development

• Develops and executes local sourcing and portfolio growth initiatives aligned with customer demand, company objectives, and profitability goals.
• Identifies assortment gaps and evaluates opportunities to introduce new local products, suppliers, and product categories.
• Analyzes sales, gross profit, margins, product movement, customer penetration, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Monitors Hawaiʻi market trends, customer preferences, competitive activity, and emerging local product opportunities.
• Collaborates with Category Managers to align local product initiatives with established category strategies, pricing objectives, and assortment plans.

New Product Development and Launch

• Leads the evaluation, coordination, onboarding, and introduction of new local products into Y. Hata’s distribution network.
• Coordinates product specifications, item setup, pricing information, food safety documentation, inventory planning, and system readiness.
• Partners with Purchasing, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing to ensure operational and commercial readiness before product launches.
• Monitors new product performance and recommends adjustments to assortment, inventory, pricing, and promotional strategies.

Sales and Customer Development

• Partners with Sales to identify customer opportunities, expand local product placement, and support portfolio growth.
• Provides product knowledge, supplier information, selling points, and recommendations to strengthen sales effectiveness.
• Supports customer presentations, product demonstrations, sales tools, and local assortment recommendations.
• Participates in customer meetings, food shows, supplier presentations, and industry events to promote local products and develop business opportunities.

Marketing and Community Partnerships

• Collaborates with Marketing to develop promotional initiatives, supplier features, product campaigns, and customer-facing communications.
• Supports supplier spotlights, sampling events, digital content, and community initiatives that promote Hawaiʻi-produced products.
• Represents Y. Hata at agricultural events, industry meetings, conferences, and community functions to strengthen supplier relationships and market presence.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Monitors and evaluates local portfolio performance, including sales, gross profit, margins, supplier activity, customer penetration, and product movement.
• Tracks supplier onboarding, new product introductions, promotional activities, vendor programs, and portfolio growth initiatives.
  Uses financial and operational performance data to identify trends, recommend corrective actions, and prioritize growth opportunities.
• Provides regular performance updates, business recommendations, and progress reports to Category Management leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Maintains accurate supplier, product, program, and portfolio documentation to support business operations and reporting.
• Uses the Company’s Mission/Vision Statements and Core Values as guiding principles. 

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent/related experience.
• At least 4 years of related experience in Category Management, Purchasing, Supplier Relations, or other applicable business function.
• Experience in foodservice, food distribution, consumer goods, or a related industry is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Hawaii’s local food and beverage industry, including market trends, sourcing opportunities, and supplier networks, strongly preferred.
• Experience working with local farmers, food manufacturers, value-added producers, or emerging suppliers preferred.