Category Insights Manager

Andrews Distributing, LLC; Texas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Pay

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation & Sick Time

401k with Company Match

Free Beer (Root beer for under 21)

Job summary

Andrews Distributing is seeking a Category Insights Manager – Channel/Portfolio in Texas to analyze industry trends and shopper behavior, supporting long-term strategies for product categories and channels. You will manage relationships with internal teams and customers, optimizing assortment, pricing, promotions, and space planning through a channel- or portfolio-focused lens.

The role sits in the Customer Growth Strategy team and requires strong data analysis, storytelling, and collaboration

Qualifications

• Three plus years in category management, sales, and brand.
• Three plus years of data analysis and solutions development.
• Proven change management leadership skills and ability to influence others.
• Previous category management and space planning software experience.
• Proven project management skills.
• Strong understanding of the beer, spirits and beverage industry.

Responsibilities

• Conducts high quality analysis from multiple data sources to generate insights and actionable recommendations.
• Leverages critical thinking to translate analyses into retail action.
• Optimizes product introduction, distribution, shelving, pricing and promotions across channels.
• Uses category management tools and data visualizations to identify opportunities.
• Prioritizes tasks to focus on ROI-driven work.
• Partners with cross-functional teams to understand strategies and objectives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication

Project management

Negotiation

Team collaboration

JDA planning software

Tools

JDA Planning Software

Excel

Data visualization tools

Job description

Cheers to a Beer & Spirits Career! Join the team that has been recognized by both USA Today and The Dallas Morning News as a Top Workplace! The fact that you landed here indicates you are looking for a better workplace. Maybe you feel unappreciated, and you are tired of being treated like just another employee. When you join our team, you become part of the Andrews family, a place where you valued and respected. We invest in our team members and are dedicated to their success by offering: Weekly Pay, Every Friday Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance Paid Vacation & Sick Time 401k with Company Match (FREE Money!!) And yes, you will receive free Beer throughout the year! (Root beer to those under 21 years old.) After all, you will be working for an award-winning BEER & Spirits distributor, and we want you to enjoy the brands you already love like Modelo, Coors, Miller Lite, Corona, Heineken, Blue Moon, Shiner, Sam Adams, Dos Equis, Revolver, Lakewood, Rahr, Truly, Topo Chico, Twisted Tea, Pacifico, and many more!! And for those who enjoy spirits, Andrews is now distributing some of the top brands within the Spirits category such as Buffalo Trace, Fireball, Southern Comfort, Corazon, Wheatley, Seagram's, Canadian Mist, and other Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, Gin, Brandy, Cognac, and Tequila brands! So let's talk about the role...

A Category Insights Manager (Channel/Portfolio) is responsible for analyzing industry and shopper trends, supporting long-term strategies for product categories and channel segments, while managing relationships with internal team members and external customers. They maximize portfolio opportunity through product assortment, pricing, promotion and space planning through a Channel- or Portfolio-focused lens. This role is part of the Customer Growth Strategy team.

Responsibilities

• Conducts high quality analysis and synthesizes multiple data sources to generate insights and actionable recommendations. (50%)
• Leverages critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize and anticipate opportunities by elevating analyses beyond reporting and translate insights into retail action.
• Utilizes internal and external data to optimize new product introduction, distribution, shelving, pricing, and promotional strategies across stakeholders and customer.
• Conducts analysis using category management capabilities, analytical tools, and data visualizations to identify and communicate opportunities.
• Prioritizes tasks with focus on strategic versus tactical activities that deliver ROI.
• Maintains a strong understanding of Andrews' sales processes, systems, portfolio, markets and the competition.
• Compiles and conducts data analysis and provides insights and recommendations specifically related to Portfolio or channel.
• Channel Focus Only: Conducts data analysis and provides insights and recommendations specifically related to the Liquor and On Premise channels.
• Partners with cross functional teams and stakeholders to understand strategies and objectives. (30%)
• Partners and collaborates with the Brand, Andrews' Center of Excellence (ACOE) and stakeholders to understand and build strategies and objectives.
• Contributes to Andrews Shopper First Planning process, focusing efforts on measurable value creation with stakeholders.
• Participates in Annual Planning process with stakeholders.
• Partners and provides guidance to Category Manager team members.
• Tracks and reports on category performance and assists in building selling materials for stakeholders.
• Leads Enterprise efforts in developing category plans.
• Portfolio Focus Only: Manages communication with brand leadership and channel managers, driving deep understanding of insight and portfolio strategy.
• Channel Focus Only: Manages communication with channel managers, driving deep understanding of insights and assortment strategy.
• Creates insight driven presentations with actionable tactics and strategies with an eye towards storytelling. (20%)
• Builds compelling presentations utilizing external, internal data resources and other visualization tools.
• Provides category management reporting, trend analysis, customized reports and special project work for cross functional teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborates with On/Off Sales teams to develop customer focused presentations representative of the current retail market and environment.
• Drives Category and Space Management best practices.
• Collaborates with Category Managers to assist in developing customer focused presentations that represent the current retail market and environment.

This list is not all inclusive of other tasks and subtasks that may be necessary in performing this role, but rather an overview of the role’s primary work tasks.

CAPABILITIES

A Category Insights Manager has a greater opportunity to succeed if they can develop and master the following job-related capabilities and KSAs: KNOWLEDGE Andrews Portfolio Beer, Spirits and Distribution Industry Category Management/Space Management Competitive Portfolios Customer Centric Planning Customer Service Principles FAVR/Motus Inventory Management - Backroom JDA Planning Software Knowledge LYTX Market Segmentation Principles Merchandising Literacy Model Market Concepts OSHA Policies and Procedures Packaging and Code Dates Quality Standards and Code Dates Retail Channels Retailer Strategies Safety Standards and Procedures Sales Team Structure and Understanding Selling Principles Supplier Expertise Swap and Drop Procedure Syndicated Data Knowledge TABC Guidelines SKILLS & ABILITIES Ability to Build Trust Ability to Collaborate and Influence at all Organizational Levels Ability to Manage Workflow, Commitments and Meet Deadlines Ability to Organize and Prioritize Workload Ability to Solve Problems and Develop Potential Solutions Ability to Use Data and Insights to Create Actionable Selling Stories Ability to Work Steadily at a Fast Pace to Meet Time Schedules and Deadlines Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills Active Listening and Feedback Skills Change Management Skills Coaching, Training and Mentoring Skills Communication and Interpersonal Skills Customer Service Skills Decision Making Skills JDA Planning Software Proficiency Negotiation Skills Project Management Skills Selling Skills Teamwork Skills Technical Aptitude/Computer/iPad Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

• Category Insights Manager – Channel Three Plus Years of Progressively Responsible Category Management, Sales, and Brand
• Three Plus Years of Data Analysis and Solutions Development; Ability to Work Across Multiple Datasets
• Proven Change Management Leadership Skills and the Ability to Influence Others
• Previous Category Management and Space Planning Software Experience
• Proven Project Management Skills
• Strong Understanding of the Beer, Spirits and Beverage Industry
• Category Insights Manager – Portfolio Five Plus Years of Progressively Responsible Category Management, Sales, and Brand
• Three Plus Years of Data Analysis and Solutions Development; Ability to Work Across Multiple Datasets
• Proven Change Management Leadership Skills and the Ability to Influence Others
• Previous Category Management and Space Planning Software Experience
• Proven Project Management Skills
• Strong Understanding of the Beer, Spirits and Beverage Industry
• Preferred Category Insights Manager – Channel Bachelors in Sales, Analytics or Other Related Field Strong Financial and Business Acumen Previous Brand Management Experience Cicerone Certified Beer Server
• Preferred Category Insights Manager – Portfolio Bachelors in Sales, Analytics or Other Related Field Strong Financial and Business Acumen Previous Brand Management Experience Cicerone Certified Beer Server

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Ability to maintain a sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time and operate computer equipment. Ability to bend, stoop, and twist is required for filing and general office duties. Requires intermittent periods during which continuous physical exertion is required, such as standing, walking, stooping, climbing, lifting material or equipment, some of which maybe heavy or awkward. Exerts up to 55 lbs of force occasionally and/or negligible amount frequently to move office-related items or materials. Ability to use a personal computer for tasks such as communicating via email, preparing reports and other forms of documentation using company and industry software. Ability to speak, hear, and see is required to communicate with employees, and to operate computers and office machinery. Hand-eye coordination and fine manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. Continual hand/wrist motion is required to operate computers and office machinery. Driving may be required during the workday. Must tolerate working in an environment with inside/outside ambient/extreme temperatures. Ability to perform job functions in compliance with company policies and procedures, including safety policies and best practices. Must be able to maintain a current/valid driver's license. Must maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Andrews Distributing Company is proudly family owned and operated, as the number one beer and spirits distribution company in Texas as well as one of the nation’s largest beer and spirits distributors. Our six Hometowns operate with facilities in Dallas, Allen, Corpus Christi, Ennis, Fort Worth, and Laredo, Texas. Andrews was named a winner of Top Workplaces by USA Today in 2025 and employs nearly 2,000 proud service professionals. The company is committed to providing a consistently excellent experience for their 13,750 customers with a portfolio that offers over 920 beer and 470 spirits brands in 29 North and South Texas counties. Andrews strives to be known as the most Customer Obsessed, Brand Building team that sets the standard for the beer and spirits industry. Andrews Distributing is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.