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Cheese Category Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Schuman Cheese

Senior Brand Manager

Fairfield, NJ · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

... cheese category, expand consumer reach, and drive continued business growth. This is an exciting ... Experience managing agency and external partner relationships. * Experience in cheese, dairy ...

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Cheese Category Manager information

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$36K

$93.4K

$134.5K

How much do cheese category manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for cheese category manager in the United States is $93,410.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $110,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cheese category manager?

A Cheese Category Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the cheese product category within a retail or foodservice organization. Their main duties include selecting product assortments, negotiating with suppliers, analyzing sales data, and developing strategies to maximize sales and profitability. They collaborate closely with marketing, supply chain, and merchandising teams to ensure the right cheese products are available to meet customer demand. The role often requires strong knowledge of the cheese industry, consumer trends, and vendor management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cheese category manager?

To thrive as a Cheese Category Manager, you need expertise in category management, merchandising, and a solid understanding of the dairy/cheese market, often backed by a business or food science degree. Familiarity with retail analytics tools, inventory management systems, and planogram software is typically required. Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical thinking skills help you build supplier relationships and drive profitable category growth. These competencies are essential to optimize product assortment, maximize sales, and ensure the cheese category meets consumer demands and business objectives.

What are some common challenges a cheese category manager faces when working with suppliers and retailers?

As a Cheese Category Manager, one of the main challenges is balancing the diverse interests of suppliers, retailers, and consumers. Coordinating with multiple suppliers to ensure consistent product quality and availability can be complex, especially with variable lead times and changing demand. Additionally, maintaining strong relationships with retailers while negotiating shelf space, pricing, and promotional activities requires effective communication and negotiation skills. Staying updated on market trends and consumer preferences is also crucial to anticipate shifts in demand and adjust the product assortment accordingly.

What is the difference between Cheese Category Manager vs Dairy Product Buyer?

AspectCheese Category ManagerDairy Product Buyer
CredentialsRelevant marketing, food science, or business certificationsProcurement, supply chain, or purchasing certifications
Work EnvironmentFood manufacturing, retail, or wholesale companiesFood suppliers, grocery chains, or foodservice providers
Industry UsageFocuses on managing cheese product categories, marketing, and sales strategiesFocuses on sourcing and purchasing dairy products, including cheese, for retail or foodservice

The Cheese Category Manager primarily oversees the marketing, sales, and category strategy for cheese products within a company, while the Dairy Product Buyer concentrates on sourcing and procurement of dairy items, including cheese. Both roles require knowledge of dairy products but differ in focus—one on category management and marketing, the other on purchasing and supply chain management.

What are popular job titles related to Cheese Category Manager jobs?

For Cheese Category Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cheese Category Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,410 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Deli/Bulk Meats & Cheese Category Product Manager

Warren, MI • On-site

Lipari Foods
Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Lipari Foodsexternal

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Lipari Foods rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The Deli/Bulk Meats & Cheese Category Product Manager is responsible for driving sales and profit through category planning and execution of strategic product marketing plans, as well as gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the Category VP's vision and working closely with sales, procurement, and vendor partners to ensure customer satisfaction and corporate fiscal goals are met.

Responsibilities:

    • Implementation of the shared category strategic vision
    • Share in the responsibility of meeting budget requirements
    • Manage key vendor relationships including but not limited to responding to customer request, vendor request, contract negotiations, pricing discrepancies, and troubleshooting any issues
    • Plan and implement long-term development strategies for product categories and programs
    • Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing and promotional activities
    • Research and analyze data, market insights, and understand customer/consumer needs
    • Responsible for SKU count and SKU profitability
    • Introduces new products and programs to drive sales within the category
    • Design exit strategies for unsuccessful products
    • Collaborate with the Marketing and Sales Team to execute strategies

Desired Requirements:

    • Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, or other related field preferred
    • Three or more years' previous experience in brand, product, or category management; Food Service, Prepared Foods, and Convenience Business Channel.
    • In depth knowledge of marketing and sales operations and processes
    • Hands on experience with analyzing big data and making forecast
    • Analytical mind with strategic ability
    • Ability to inject creativity, fresh thinking, and new perspectives and to generate new and imaginative ideas
    • Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
    • Strong verbal and written abilities
    • Strong negotiation skills
    • Ability to work effectively under pressure Ability to interact with multiple groups Multi-task oriented
    • Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office, Web Focus and Retalix-IDS System

About Lipari Foods


Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Lipari Foods is a leading independent distributor built around global and specialty foods. With a customer-first mindset, they serve customers through 67 depots across 32 states and growing. Lipari brings the world's most craveable flavors to shelf with an end-to-end approach that combines exclusive and owned brands, retail services, innovative tools, and dependable delivery across 10 categories including deli, bakery, frozen/dairy, specialty grocery, international specialty, meat/seafood, packaging, confections, foodservice/prepared foods, and convenience.

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