*Our client is a purpose-driven healthy and sustainable snacking company committed to creating delicious and nutritious snacks that fuel and inspire people.
**This position is hybrid, 3 days in office in Wicker Park, Chicago.
We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager to join our growing team.
Reporting to the Director of Sales Strategy, this role will focus on enhancing analytical capabilities, driving category performance, and making data-driven assortment recommendations that align with consumer trends and business objectives.
The Category Manager will work closely with the US Sales Team and internal partners in innovation, marketing, and sales to deliver actionable insights and drive category growth. This role will be customer-facing, providing key retailer partners with shopper, consumer, and syndicated insights to support long-term growth. The Category Manager will participate in strategic line reviews and customer meetings, leading U.S. retailer strategies by utilizing SPINS analysis, category management processes, planogram development for best-in-class shelving, and omnichannel digital insights to maximize shopper and category conversion.
Responsibilities
- Uphold the organization's core values in all aspects of work.
- Lead the ongoing analysis of category trends and tactics, creating retailer-specific category overviews, reviews, sell decks, assortment analyses, and promotional evaluations.
- Collaborate with sales teams to develop tailored category plans that address customer needs and drive account-specific growth strategies.
- Utilize data analytics tools and POS data to track category and customer performance, analyze trends, and provide actionable insights for strategic planning.
- Conduct consumer research to understand shopping behaviors and preferences, leveraging these insights to optimize assortments and enhance the in-store and online shopping experience.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, including suppliers and retailers, to align and drive category initiatives. Provide input on SKU prioritization in collaboration with marketing.
- Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales growth and expand market share.
- Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and consumer insights to uncover growth opportunities.
- Oversee product life cycle management, including innovation, pricing, and promotional strategies.
- Ensure successful product launches through cross-functional collaboration and rigorous KPI setting.
- Leverage POS data to generate deeper insights on performance, such as source of volume, trial and repeat rates, and share-of-shelf.
- Create scorecarding and dashboarding to drive more data integration across the organization.
- Handle ad hoc analysis requests as needed.
Compentancies
- Strong category management expertise with a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans that drive growth.
- Advanced data analytics skills with the ability to interpret complex data and extract actionable insights.
- Proficiency in omnichannel retail strategies, including physical and digital shelf optimization.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong collaboration and teamwork abilities, with a focus on achieving common goals.
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Effective communicator with strong presentation skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Self-starter with a results-driven mindset, high initiative, flexibility, and tenacity.
Education & Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- 5-8 years of experience in category management or a related role within the CPG industry.
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Planogramming experience is preferred but not required.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, Excel, Power BI/Tableau, JDA Prospace).
- Experience with pricing, promotion, and product assortment strategies.
