Category Advisory Lead: Growth Strategy & POGs

J.M. Smucker; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

J.M. Smucker is seeking a Manager, Category Advisory to lead the Target partnership and develop actionable insights that drive category growth. You will coach two direct reports and collaborate with Target's category management team to craft strategies, POGs, and data-driven recommendations.

The role requires strong analytics, relationship-building, and cross-functional teamwork, with hybrid work in Minneapolis and occasional travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of work experience in Sales Analytics, Category Management, or Shopper Insights
• Strong analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills to uncover trends and insights
• Experience using POS, Panel, and Retailer Shopper data (ie. Nielsen, IRI/Circana, DOMO, PartnersOnline, PowerBI / Tableau)
• Proficient in JDA Space Planning software and experience building POGs
• Customer facing experience working with Target, preferably on an Advisory
• Demonstrated ability to develop high-quality relationships
• Strong cross-functional teamwork orientation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence decisions
• Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple projects
• Ability to travel as needed (less than 10%)

Responsibilities

• Manage, coach and develop a team of 2 direct reports
• Track sales trends and insights; develop and perform weekly sales reporting to deliver to the buyer
• Identify key opportunities and risks
• Participate in the development of Category strategies based on insights and opportunities
• Review category and item-level performance data to provide clear, actionable recommendations on driving the most productive assortment
• Translates and synthesizes consumer, category and shopper insights into strategic growth stories for retailer-specific recommendations
• Translates national and channel category trends into retailer-specific opportunities
• Influence category strategies leveraging shopper and category data to drive growth
• Deliver POGs for Transition and Revisions (1x/year transition), 3-4x/year seasonal revisions
• Identify market opportunities using data sources like IRI/Circana, Nielsen and retailer data
• Assist in development of category reviews to grow total category sales
• Use multiple data sources to identify opportunities with a multi-channel approach
• Develop solutions around distribution, promotion, pricing, and shelf-placement
• Prepare presentations on trends, opportunities, and growth solutions
• Participate in design/drawing of Plan-o-grams using JDA
• Conduct in-store and online competitive retailer downloads
• Provide seasonal performance analyses and recaps
• Assist other functions to develop business opportunities

Skills

Sales analytics

Category management

Shopper insights

Cross-functional teamwork

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

JDA Space Planning

Nielsen / Circana data tools

PowerBI / Tableau

Job description

J.M. Smucker is seeking a Manager, Category Advisory to lead the Target partnership and develop actionable insights that drive category growth. You will coach two direct reports and collaborate with Target's category management team to craft strategies, POGs, and data-driven recommendations.

The role requires strong analytics, relationship-building, and cross-functional teamwork, with hybrid work in Minneapolis and occasional travel as needed.