Associate Manager, Category & Shopper Development

J.D. Irving, Limited; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic individual to lead category management functions. This role involves understanding retailer objectives, supporting strategic planning, and utilizing data to drive insights and recommendations. You will have the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment, allowing flexibility while contributing to the growth of consumer products. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, along with opportunities for training and development. Join a team that values innovation and collaboration, and make a significant impact on brand performance and strategic initiatives.

Benefits

Flexible medical, dental, and vision plans

Employee & family assistance programs

RRSP matching program

Health & wellness reimbursements

Product purchase program

Opportunities for training and development

Growth and progression within the company

Relocation costs (if applicable)

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Category Management or Sales.
• Strong technical skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and Tableau.

Responsibilities

• Manage category leadership functions for assigned customers.
• Support customer presentations with insights and recommendations.
• Develop analytics and identify growth opportunities.

Skills

Category Management

Sales

Trade Marketing

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Tableau

JDA

Nielsen Services

Critical Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods

Tools

Nielsen

LDIA

Circana

Job description

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package, including but not limited to:
• Flexible medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employee & family assistance programs
• RRSP matching program
• Health & wellness reimbursements
• Product purchase program
• Opportunities for training and development
• Growth and progression within Irving Consumer Products and the J.D. Irving group
• Relocation costs (if applicable)
• Hybrid flexible work options (if applicable)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Category Management, Sales, or Trade Marketing
• Preferred experience in Consumer Packaged Goods
• Strong technical skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Tableau, JDA)
• Proficiency in Nielsen and syndicated services
• Knowledge of retailer data platforms (e.g., LDIA, Circana) is a plus
• Experience with 5P solutions for bricks-and-mortar and online
• Critical thinking skills for strategic planning
• Ability to interpret syndicated data and research
• Storyboarding and presentation skills

Responsibilities

Manage category leadership functions for assigned customers

• Understand retailer objectives, strategies, and shopper insights
• Support customer presentations with insights
• Recommend strategies to improve category and brand performance
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives
• Assist with joint business planning analytics
• Support RGM analysis and pricing/promotion strategies
• Provide analysis to support marketing efforts

Category and shopper analysis

• Develop analytics for the customer team
• Generate insights using customer data and research
• Identify growth opportunities and RGM strategies
• Respond to competitive actions with insights
• Prepare key reports on new items, pricing, etc.

CLP & 5P best practices deployment

• Understand customer strategies and influence decisions
• Achieve objectives using insights and data
• Customize playbooks for customers
• Manage 5P tactics for profitability
• Support category planning with best practices

Strategic Account Planning

• Support planning with sales leads
• Develop assortment, pricing, and promotion strategies
• Assist with new item plans from a retailer perspective