Category Manager (Tempo)

homechef

Chicago, IL · Chicago · United States

Posted Jul 2, 2026

Contract
Supply Chain

Job description

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com 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 will own the end-to-end strategy and execution of the Tempo Protein category, balancing customer experience, supply continuity, product innovation, and financial performance. This role serves as the primary business owner for the category, partnering cross-functionally to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and deliver results in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

This role is best suited for someone who enjoys building processes where they don't yet exist, thrives in a rapidly changing environment, and views ambiguity as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Detailed Responsibilities

Develop and maintain category strategy, in service of company-wide goals
Own the identification, evaluation, and choice of suppliers and SKUs for the category
Coordinate, negotiate, and manage RFPs with both new and current suppliers
Build strategic supplier partnerships that foster innovation, improve performance, reduce cost, and strengthen long-term supply continuity
Conduct supply market analysis and collect supplier intelligence to drive sourcing process
Work closely with culinary team to identify new ingredient needs and test new suppliers
Coordinate with Cross Functional Partners to ensure all new suppliers meet Home Chef guidelines and expectations
Act as point on highly visible new protein A/B and Market tests
Partner with legal to negotiate contract terms with key supplier partners and ensure terms + conditions of those contracts are managed and met
Work with Procurement Operations, Warehouse and site teams to improve supply chain performance
Collaborate with local sites and supplier partners to problem solve regular supply disruptions and secure product in time for weekly meal production
Own category performance, proactively monitoring key metrics including cost, quality, supply continuity, customer feedback, inventory health, and supplier performance.
Attend industry conferences to identify new trends, suppliers and/or ingredients
Identify, prioritize, and commercialize new product opportunities that support customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial goals

This position requires 10% travel

Qualifications

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

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.
5+ years of procurement and sourcing experience (food category-related preferred)
Background in food and beverage industry highly preferred
Executive-level succinct communication, both verbal and written; discernment when delivering updates
Strong data and numerical orientation; baseline Excel/GSheet knowledge (index/match, pivot tables, gut-checking data)
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations
Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple cross-functional initiatives with competing timelines
Ability to lead cross functional teams and stakeholders, and respectfully hold them accountable
Passion for food and for working in a fast-paced, quickly-growing, entrepreneurial environment a plus
Completion of a four-year degree program in a related field

More About Us

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

How We Work Together

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.

Be at Home at Home Chef

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 hr@homechef.com.

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

$90,000—$105,000 USD

To view the California Applicant Notice click here