Ray Menendez
About Ray Menendez
Ray Menendez serves as the Area Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing at US Foods, a position he has held since 2022. With extensive experience in procurement and category management, he has built strong relationships with commodity providers to enhance customer experiences.
Work at US Foods
Ray Menendez currently holds the position of Area Vice President - Merchandising and Marketing at US Foods, a role he has occupied since 2022. In this capacity, he operates within the Delaware Valley region, focusing on enhancing the merchandising strategies and marketing initiatives of the company. Prior to this role, he served as Commodity Procurement Manager for Seafood from 2016 to 2022 and as Category Operations Manager for Center of the Plate from 2014 to 2016. His tenure at US Foods has been marked by a commitment to developing strategic relationships with commodity providers.
Previous Experience at Sysco
Before his current role at US Foods, Ray Menendez gained valuable experience at Sysco. He worked as a Buyer for Produce from 2008 to 2009 and as a Buyer for Frozen Grocery from 2007 to 2008. Additionally, he served as Category Manager for Center of the Plate from 2009 to 2010. His time at Sysco contributed to his understanding of procurement and category management, which he has applied in his subsequent roles.
Education and Expertise
Ray Menendez possesses extensive expertise in financial and price analysis, which supports his work in strategic procurement and inventory modeling. He is skilled in product development, allowing him to contribute effectively to the creation of successful merchandising strategies. His background in manufacturing strategy further enhances his capabilities in managing product profitability and optimizing supply chain processes.
Background
Ray Menendez has built a career centered around his passion for creating great meals. This passion has driven his professional journey and informed his approach to merchandising and marketing within the food industry. His experience spans various roles in procurement and category management, allowing him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the market and customer needs.
Achievements in Strategic Relationships
Throughout his career, Ray Menendez has developed strategic and long-lasting relationships with commodity providers. These relationships are aimed at enhancing the end customer experience, demonstrating his commitment to quality and service in the food industry. His ability to foster these connections has been a key aspect of his roles at both US Foods and Sysco.