Category Development Executive

E. & J. Gallo Winery; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental

401(k) plans

Profit sharing

Employee wine shop

Company holidays

Pet insurance

Job summary

E. & J. Gallo Winery seeks an Account Executive – Category Development to drive category growth with major national and regional customers. You will use data-driven insights to shape merchandising, distribution, and promotional strategies while partnering with customers to create long-term growth plans.

The role leads analytics projects, develops impactful presentations, and coaches Category Development analysts, driving best practices and continuous improvement across teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree plus 3 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Journalism, Business, Economics, or Supply Chain plus 4 years of sales or category development experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• High School diploma or equivalency plus 9 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Shape category growth and business performance with national and regional customers.
• Lead analytics projects and develop impactful presentations to influence strategies.
• Coach Category Development analysts and drive adoption of best practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Customer engagement

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

High School diploma

Job description

A Taste of What You'll Do

As an Account Executive – Category Development, you will play a strategic role in helping shape category growth and business performance with key national and regional customers. You’ll leverage consumer insights, syndicated data, market research, and account analytics to uncover opportunities, influence category strategies, and deliver meaningful business results.

In this highly collaborative role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to customer decision makers, developing data-driven recommendations that improve merchandising strategies, increase distribution, and optimize promotional effectiveness. You’ll partner closely with customers to understand their business challenges, recommend solutions, and build long-term growth plans that create value for both the customer and Gallo.

You’ll lead complex analytics projects, develop impactful presentations, and identify opportunities across brick‑and‑mortar and digital retail environments. In addition, you’ll manage and develop Category Development analysts, coach team members, and help drive adoption of best practices, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Success in this role requires strong business acumen, analytical thinking, customer engagement skills, and the ability to translate data into actionable insights that drive growth. If you are energized by solving business challenges, influencing strategic decisions, and leading high‑performing teams, this opportunity offers the chance to make a significant impact while helping shape the future of category development.

What You'll Need

• Master’s degree plus 3 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility; OR Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Journalism, Business, Economics, or Supply Chain plus 4 year of sales or category development experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility; OR Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility OR High School diploma or State‑issued equivalency certificate plus 9 years of category development or sales experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• Candidate is required to have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record and reliable vehicle (if applicable) at the time of hire. This position will undergo a motor vehicle check (MVR) to confirm a history of safe and responsible driving. If needed, candidate must obtain the appropriate state driver’s license based on the position’s location within 30 days of hire.
• Required to obtain Liquor License as required by state/locality.
• Required to be 21 years of age or older.
• Required to travel by airplane and automobile to conduct job duties, up to 25% of the time.
• Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation. This may be in addition to travel requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.
• Required to be 18 years or older. This may be in addition to other age requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.

How You'll Stand Out

• Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of Gallo winery or distributor sales or category development experience to include a prior rotation as a Business Development Manager, Market Development Manager Sr, or Account Manager 2; OR Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of external alcohol sales experience to include category development experience.
• Supervisory or managerial experience.
• Skilled in statistical analysis and problem solving. Including advanced data retrieval and manipulation for key insights.
• Skilled in communication, project management and analysis.

We are committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well‑being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.

The Fine Print

• The Company does not sponsor for employment‑based visas for this position now or in the future.
• Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by factors such as the education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
• This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting with an option for occasional telecommuting. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
• It is the Company’s policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.

Gallo’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision making, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Nor will Gallo discriminate based on a perception that an individual has any of the foregoing characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Gallo will comply with state and local laws prohibiting discrimination for lawful out‑of‑work behavior, such as off‑duty use of cannabis away from the workplace (subject to federal and state law exceptions), the existence of non‑psychoactive cannabis metabolites in hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids as determined by a drug screening test (subject to federal and state law exceptions).

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gallo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at 209.341.7000.

Gallo is enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s E‑Verify program and will use the program to verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required.