Category Manager

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; Stratham (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt is seeking a Category Manager to expand category influence and drive sales with ADUSA. You will translate shopper insights into actionable plans, develop compelling selling stories, and lead category reviews.

This role requires deep data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and strong retail analytics experience. Location preference includes US markets such as Carlisle/Harrisburg, Philadelphia, NY/NJ, New England, or the Carolinas.

Qualifications

• 5+ years category management and analytics experience.
• 5+ years experience mining data systems (Circana/IRI, Nielsen Suite/IQ, Numerator Info Retriever, Retail Link, Kantar, Blue Yonder JDA Space Planning Suite, Syndigo Circana FSP).
• CPG experience.

Responsibilities

• Influence customer strategy and shopper behavior across confection segments to grow KPIs for the category.
• Provide best-in-class shopper insights to ADUSA to influence strategy.
• Develop a Grocery channel strategy and selling stories tailored to key retailers with data-driven insights.
• Act as a consultant to ADUSA, delivering recommendations to drive category growth.
• Lead planogram development and selling stories using POS, panel and shopper data.

Skills

Category Management

Shopper Insights

Data Analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Cross-functional Collaboration

Retail Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Circana/IRI

Nielsen Suite/IQ

Numerator Info Retriever

Retail Link

Kantar

Blue Yonder JDA Space Planning Suite

Syndigo Circana FSP

Job description

Who We Are

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose

The individual in this role will help Lindt expand category influence, grow sales and deliver against category management specific KPIs such as distribution, secondary placement and best in class merchandising. This will be accomplished by acting as a strategic partner for ADUSA by providing best in class shopper insights and analytics to maximize category growth.

Location preference for the role is Carlisle/Harrisburg or Philadelphia, PA and New York/ New Jersey markets. Other locations include the New England or Carolinas.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Category Management

• Ensure expertise in customer strategy and shopper behavior across relevant confection segments (impulse, gifting, dark chocolate, indulgence, etc.) to influence business planning initiatives and plans that mutually grow KPIs for Lindt and the category.
• Bring best in class shopper insights to ADUSA, to influence customer strategy and support Lindt initiatives.
• Support Lindt strategy and selling initiatives through the development of a best in class Grocery channel strategy and selling stories that are tailored to be specific to key retailers. This includes analyzing and synthesizing syndicated and shopper data coupled with trend and shopper insight information.
• Act as a consultant and strategic partner to ADUSA providing unbiased recommendations to drive overall category growth.
• Develop strategic planogram recommendations, combining proven merchandising theory, retailer case studies and Lindt strategy with solid analysis to maximize category sales.
• Synthesize multiple data sources including POS, Panel, Shopper card and Insights to craft compelling, concise and actionable selling stories. Lead the creation of everyday line reviews, seasonal reviews and check lane reviews.
• Play a leadership role in conducting category management reviews, analyzing business issues, and providing business insights and recommendations in the areas of assortment, pricing, and promotion to improve business results.
• Present analysis, trend information and category opportunities directly to ADUSA building a strong relationship directly with the buyers or retailer category managers to influence retailer strategy and support Lindt business objectives.
• In collaboration with the Category team and specific Brand Managers, lead the creation of seasonal and key initiative selling presentations contributing insights while also combining inputs into a comprehensive selling story.

Sales & Marketing Support

• Influence the development of strategic sales and category action plans for the Grocery channel through the sharing of knowledge gained from customer specific shopper card information. Help to establish priorities that are consistent with Lindt and key account goals and objectives, market share and overall category profitability.
• Actively participate in weekly team calls or meetings with respective Sales Managers and/or Marketing.

Research and Analysis

• Serve as the expert on the Grocery Channel and ADUSA by fully understanding shopper motivations, triggers and barriers through available shopper card, custom research or panel information.
• Be the information expert in the analysis of syndicated data, shopper card data, household panel data, and customer point of sale data, leading to key insights and business recommendations in the areas of item distribution and assortment, pricing and promotion.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience

• 5+ years Category Management and analytical experience.
• 5+ years experience mining data systems, such as: Circana/IRI, Nielsen Suite/ IQ, Numerator Info Retriever, Retail Link, Kantar, Blue Yonder JDA Space Planning Suite, Syndigo Circana FSP
• CPG experience

Skills & Knowledge

• Experience in using retailer shopper card portals (i.e. EYC, 84.51, Symphony AI, etc)
• Advanced computer skills; advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
• Advanced analytical and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently to complete projects in a timely fashion.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated success in cross functional work environments.
• Ability to problem solve and multi-task in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Planogram building & writing experience (i.e. Blue Yonder JDA Space Planning Suite)

Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Mas