Category Insights Manager

ARI (Axcel Recruiting Inc.); Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ARI (Axcel Recruiting Inc.) seeks a Category Insights Manager in a remote/Minneapolis mix to turn data into actionable recommendations that shape shopper decisions and improve distribution. You will partner with Sales and grocery retailers to translate analytics into selling stories, manage category captaincies, and develop clear dashboards with Power BI.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in category management or shopper insights, a Bachelor’s in business/marketing/economics, and advanced Excel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in category management or shopper insights within CPG/beverage.
• Ability to translate data into customer-facing recommendations.
• Experience with syndicated data sources like Nielsen or Circana (IRI).
• Advanced Excel and data visualization tools such as Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Own the category insights process from data extraction to customer-ready recommendations and selling stories.
• Partner with Sales and retail customers to bring insights into planning conversations and translate strategy into in-store execution.
• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities across assortment, shelving, pricing, promotion, and distribution.
• Own and manage category captainships, delivering objective, category-first recommendations that support retailer growth.
• Provide category management support for key regional and national grocery customers.
• Develop clear, high-impact tools, dashboards, and visualizations that help teams make decisions and take action.
• Use syndicated, shopper, retailer, and market data to uncover trends and recommend practical next steps.
• Stay close to market conditions and validate recommendations in stores to ensure strategies are relevant and effective.
• Support national account work and cross-functional strategic projects as needed.

Skills

Category management

Shopper insights

Data storytelling

Excel (advanced)

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Economics or related field

Tools

Power BI

Circana/Nielsen data tools

SQL

Alteryx

Job description

Category Insights Manager

Remote / Minneapolis, MN

The Opportunity

Turn category and shopper data into recommendations that shape real customer decisions. In this highly visible role, you will partner with Sales and regional grocery retailers to develop strategies that strengthen distribution, shelf presence, and category performance. You will also support national account initiatives and strategic projects as business needs evolve.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who is comfortable working with complex or imperfect data, can simplify findings into persuasive stories, and wants to see insights come to life in the market.

What You'll Do

• Own the category insights process from data extraction and analysis through customer-ready recommendations and selling stories.
• Partner directly with Sales and retail customers to bring insights into planning conversations and translate strategy into in-store execution.
• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities across assortment, shelving, pricing, promotion, and distribution.
• Own and manage category captainships, serving as a trusted category advisor and delivering objective, category-first recommendations that support retailer growth.
• Provide category management support for key regional and national grocery customers, including Hy-Vee, Publix, Southeast Grocers, Schnucks, Festival Foods, Food Lion, Giant Eagle, and ALDI.
• Develop clear, high-impact tools, dashboards, and visualizations that help teams make decisions and take action.
• Use syndicated, shopper, retailer, and market data to uncover trends, diagnose performance, and recommend practical next steps.
• Stay close to market conditions and validate recommendations in stores to ensure strategies are relevant and effective.
• Support national account work and cross-functional strategic projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• Eight or more years of experience in category management, shopper insights, or a related role within consumer packaged goods or beverage.
• Demonstrated ability to translate retail and shopper data into clear, customer-facing recommendations that drive measurable business results.
• Hands-on experience with syndicated and shopper data sources, such as Nielsen or Circana (IRI).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience using data visualization or business intelligence tools such as Power BI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading category captaincies with large regional or national grocery retailers.
• Experience in beverage, alcohol, or another direct-store-delivery category.
• Experience with advanced analytics and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or Alteryx, including development of scalable reporting solutions.