Associate Category Manager Target

Comtec Information Systems; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Target in Minneapolis, MN is seeking an Associate Category Manager to support category growth in the Dairy aisle. You will blend shopper insights with analytics to influence omnichannel strategies online and on-shelf.

The role requires 2–3 years in category management or related fields, CPG experience, and proficiency with data sources and shelving tools. This is a hybrid position with occasional onsite meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 2-3 years in Category Management, Customer Management, Insights or Sales Strategy.
• CPG experience required; Target experience preferred.
• Knowledge of syndicated data sources: Circana, Nielsen, POS/Panel, Loyalty Card Data, Numerator.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal/external partners to drive results.
• Understanding of Target's Assortment and Planogram execution processes.
• Proficient in shelving standards and tools (JDA, POG Gen).
• Excellent planning, analytical, and communication skills; proficient in PowerPoint and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Drive category management principles using data analytics and shopper insights.
• Develop reports using multiple data sources (sales/share, assortment, planograms, promotions).
• Synthesize learnings from syndicated data to create clear category insights and recommendations.
• Co-develop strategic plans to achieve category volume, contribution, and share goals.
• Conduct category decompositions to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges quickly.
• Drive planogram development and implementation with cross-functional teams.
• Own weekly/monthly reporting: category scorecards, pricing, digital performance, ad recaps; Circana share reporting.
• Support category reviews with new-item recaps, seasonal analysis, and post-revision results.
• Execute planogram activities including product libraries, data updates, store analysis, and Shel IQ execution.
• Support buyer priorities with store walks, data pulls, and promotional recaps.

Skills

Category management

Customer management

Insights

Sales strategy

Data analytics

PowerPoint

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

JDA

POG Gen

Job description

Associate Category Manager -- Target

6 months

Hybrid - usually Tues/Wed in office; Dec/Jan a couple of onsite meetings at Target

Minneapolis, MN

Need space planning experience

Position Summary:

The Associate Category Manager collaborates with the Category Manager to blend shopper and category insights with top-notch analytics, crafting strategies that boost share and drive growth for Target in the Dairy aisle. You will work across multiple levels within Target and Client to develop and influence an omnichannel category strategy---both online and at the shelf. Together with the Category Manager, you will drive category growth by identifying opportunities and testing recommendations using top industry tools.

In this role you will:

• Drive category management principles through the application of strong data analytics and consumer/shopper insights.
• Use multiple data sources to develop reports that include sales/share reporting, opportunity gap analysis, assortment assessment, planogram analysis, post promotion analysis, item tracking, pricing studies, financial performance, sales, and other performance trackers.
• Become our customers' first call for by synthesizing learnings from various syndicated data sources to create clear and impactful category insights and recommendations.
• Co-develop strategic business plans and strategies for achieving category volume, contribution, and share objectives.
• Conduct detailed category decompositions and deliver insights-to-action by identifying trends, opportunities, and challenges to core business areas in an extremely fast paced environment.
• Drive planogram development and implementation to support the Category Strategic Growth Plan. Work with teams across functions (Consumer Insights, eCommerce, Center of Excellence) to develop tailored solutions that support customer key initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree, with 2-3 years' experience in Category Management, Customer Management, Insights or Sales Strategy.
• CPG experience required; Target experience preferred.
• Knowledge and interpretation of syndicated data sources: Circana, Nielsen, POS/Panel, Loyalty Card Data, Numerator.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with external & internal partners to drive results.
• Understanding of Target's Assortment and Planogram execution processes.
• Ability to link analytics from traditional data sources with new capabilities and tools to develop insights into action.
• Strong working knowledge and execution of shelving standards and associated shelving software tools. (JDA, POG Gen, etc.)
• Excellent planning, analytical, and communication skills are required, along with proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Own weekly and monthly reporting, including weekly category scorecards, pricing, digital performance, ad recaps; monthly Circana share reporting.
• Support category reviews and transitions/revisions by preparing new-item recaps, seasonal analysis and post-revision results.
• Execute planogram activities, including product library updates, prefill information, sales-by-store analysis, create and manage planogram folders, and own Shel IQ execution.
• Support key team and buyer priorities including weekly buyer status follow ups, store walks, data pulls, promotional recaps.