Category Insight Manager - Small Format

Witt/Kieffer; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Witt/Kieffer is hiring a Category Insights Manager for the Houston office. This pivotal role focuses on category management within small-format retail channels. The ideal candidate will drive insights, collaborate closely with sales and marketing, and leverage data analytics to enhance assortment and pricing strategies. Candidates should have over 5 years of relevant experience along with a degree in business or a related field. Occasional travel is expected, along with a need for strong analytical skills and proficiency in data tools like Power BI.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in category management, insights, or related roles.
• Experience using syndicated data platforms and retailer analytical tools required.
• Beverage or broader CPG experience in small-format channels preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead category management, insights, and channel strategy for small-format retail.
• Analyze category trends, competitive dynamics, and promotional activity.
• Develop customer-ready category stories and presentations.

Skills

Data-driven storytelling

Category management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Excel proficiency

Experience with syndicated data tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, analytics, or related field

Tools

Power BI

IRI

Nielsen

Job description

Category Insights Manager – Small Format

EOE Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Overview

CAB Enterprises, Inc. proudly serves as the exclusive distributor of Electrolit in the United States. Electrolit is owned by Grupo Pisa, Latin America's premier pharmaceutical company with over 80 years of experience. Electrolit has become a leader in premium hydration beverages. Since Electrolit entered the US in 2015, we have increased Electrolit’s visibility in the U.S. market, by building on the brand’s rich legacy that began in 1950 as a hydration solution for children. With a steadfast commitment to quality, Electrolit has an innovative, scientifically backed formula, an exciting range of flavors, which uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and is produced in a state-of-the-art facility.

Position Summary

The Category Insights Manager – Small Format is responsible for leading category management, insights, and channel strategy that support Electrolit’s growth across small-format retail channels, including convenience, drug, and specialty accounts. This role partners closely with Sales, Marketing, and Strategy teams to translate shopper, category, and competitive data into actionable commercial recommendations that strengthen assortment, pricing, shelving, and promotional effectiveness. It serves as a primary small-format category management and insights partner for national and regional customer teams, supporting customer planning, category line reviews, and key business initiatives with category and channel strategies, fact-based analysis, category stories, and performance reporting aligned to consumer and shopper behavior, retail channel execution strategies, and Electrolit’s brand and commercial priorities.

Location: Houston TX (on-site/hybrid)

Key Responsibilities

• Own the insights agenda for the small-format channel, retailers, and categories; translate findings into clear commercial recommendations across assortment, pricing, shelving, and merchandising programs.
• Lead development and execution of category strategies for small-format channels using syndicated data, retailer POS, shopper panel insights, and internal performance metrics.
• Develop customer-ready category stories and presentations that communicate opportunities, risks, and recommended actions.
• Serve as the primary small-format category management and insights partner to Sales, Marketing, and Strategy teams; present insights to internal leadership and small-format retail partners.
• Analyze category trends, competitive dynamics, pricing architecture, and promotional activity within small-format retail.
• Recommend assortment optimization, space allocation, shelf layouts, and merchandising strategies aligned to small-format shopper missions.
• Support customer line reviews, joint business planning, and category growth discussions through fact-based insights.
• Identify white-space opportunities and emerging trends within the hydration and beverage categories.
• Partner with analytics and research vendors supporting syndicated data, shopper studies, and category reporting.
• Ensure insights, reporting, and recommendations are accurate, actionable, and tailored to retailers’ specific needs.
• Perform additional duties and project work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of category management principles within the CPG and beverage industries.
• Expertise with syndicated data tools (IRI, Nielsen, Circana), retailer POS systems, and shopper panel insights.
• Ability to craft persuasive data-driven stories for internal stakeholders and customer presentations.
• Skilled in identifying category opportunities and translating findings into practical business strategies.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to synthesize large, complex data sets.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Excel, Power BI, visualization platforms, and category management software.
• Strong project-management skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong business acumen and the ability to operate in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, analytics, economics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in category management, insights, shopper analytics, or related CPG roles.
• Experience using syndicated data platforms and retailer analytical tools required.
• Beverage or broader CPG experience in small-format channels, strongly preferred.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work on-site in Electrolit’s Houston office.
• Occasional travel (approximately 10%) for customer meetings, research initiatives, or team collaboration.
• Ability to work extended hours during major planning cycles, customer deadlines, or reporting periods.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working with data or preparing presentations.
• Ability to lift or move standard office materials up to 10 pounds.
• Regular use of a computer, phone, and analytical/reporting tools in an office environment.