Category Development Manager

DSJ Global; Mount Prospect (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a global, family-owned food manufacturer as a Category Development Manager, where your expertise will drive category growth and innovation. In this pivotal role, you'll analyze data and provide actionable insights for retail customers, influencing category strategies that focus on shopper centricity and market share gains. Collaborate across functions, lead data visualization initiatives, and elevate the company as a top CPG partner. If you're passionate about making an impact and thrive in a dynamic environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in category management and data analytics.
• Advanced knowledge of shopper insights and customer data.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Pasta Sauce, Vinegar, and Asian Categories.
• Collaborate with Sales Team to influence data-driven proposals.

Skills

Category Management

Data Analytics

Sales Insights

Storytelling

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a Related Field

Tools

Nielsen

Circana

JDA/Apollo

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Job description

A global, family-owned food manufacturer with over 200 years of history is adding a category development manager to the team! As a leading producer of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the U.S., it operates 12 manufacturing facilities serving various trade channels and is dedicated to delivering top-quality products.

Summary: The Category Development Manager will be the category expert, providing top-tier insights and actionable recommendations for retail customers. This role involves analyzing data, identifying insights, and proposing solutions to drive profitable category growth. The Category Manager will collaborate across functions to influence Category Growth Strategies focused on shopper centricity, sales growth, and market share gains.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Pasta Sauce, Vinegar, and Asian Categories.
• Utilize syndicated and customer loyalty data to support informed decision-making.
• Generate reports to provide insights, identify opportunities, and drive category growth.
• Collaborate with Sales Team to influence line review processes with data-driven proposals.
• Offer insights on multi-channel purchasing behaviors.
• Develop consistent formats for presenting and analyzing data.
• Take ownership of monthly executive summaries and participate in company calls.
• Lead the transition to data visualization.
• Elevate the company as a top CPG partner and thought leader.
• Pursue continuous self-development and improvement.
• Uphold company principles of challenging the status quo and offering top-quality products.
• Travel: ~25% of the time

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in category management, sales, data analytics, and shopper insights.
• Advanced knowledge of Panel/Numerator, shopper insights, customer data, Nielsen & Circana, and proficiency in JDA/Apollo preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• Strong storytelling skills and experience in building fact-based selling stories.
• Demonstrated passion for winning, leadership, and teamwork.
• Unwavering integrity, ethics, and objectivity.
• Initiative-taker with accountability for execution and results.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and listening skills.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join our team to drive category growth and innovation!