Category / Trade Analyst

000321 Freudenberg Household Products LP (USA); South Dakota; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg invites applications for a hybrid role in the United States with on-site requirements in Aurora, IL. The position focuses on category management, trade marketing, and commercial insights to drive growth across retailers and channels.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in CPG or related fields, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel and reporting tools. The role supports launches, marketing initiatives, and cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or related field is preferred.
• Hybrid role requiring 3 days on-site in Aurora, IL.
• 2+ years in CPG, retail, sales, marketing, or related functions.
• Strong Excel and reporting-tool proficiency for analytics.
• Experience with syndicated retailer data and space planning tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop fact-based category reviews and assortment recommendations.
• Assist with promotional planning and retailer marketing initiatives.
• Support product launches, commercialization activities, and customer activation.
• Analyze sales, shopper, customer, and category data to identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain reporting systems, retailer information, and budgets.
• Support customer meetings, trade shows, broker requests.
• Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and partners.
• Take on smaller projects and cross-functional initiatives over time.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Business acumen

Strategic thinking

Strong communication

Education

Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Circana/Nielsen

POS data

Space planning software

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!"

Responsibilities:

• Support Category Management: Develop fact-based category reviews, assortment recommendations, retailer presentations, and business planning materials.
• Support Trade & Shopper Marketing Programs: Assist with promotional planning, shopper marketing initiatives, retail activation, and performance measurement.
• Execute Go-To-Market Initiatives: Support coordination of product launches, commercialization activities, and customer activation programs to ensure successful market execution.
• Deliver Commercial Insights: Analyze sales, shopper, customer, and category data to identify growth opportunities, business risks, and actionable recommendations.
• Maintain Commercial Processes & Tools: Manage reporting systems, commercial databases, retailer information, budget tracking, and sales enablement resources to support efficient business operations.
• Support Business Execution: Assist with customer meetings, trade shows, broker partner requests, retailer inquiries, and other administrative or operational activities that support commercial objectives.
• Drive Cross-Functional Coordination: Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and external partners to manage projects, track deliverables, and support commercial planning activities.
• Lead Special Projects & Development Opportunities: Conduct ad hoc analyses, support strategic initiatives, and gradually assume ownership of smaller customer accounts and cross-functional projects as experience grows.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Local with the ability to work a hybrid schedule, 3 days/week on-site in Aurora, IL.
• 2+ years of experience in CPG, Retail, Sales, Marketing, Category Management, Shopper Marketing, Trade Marketing, or related business functions, including relevant internship or co-op experience (within CPG, retail, analytics, or commercialization functions).
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and reporting tools, with experience analyzing sales, shopper, category, market, or retailer data to generate actionable business insights.
• Experience with syndicated/retailer data sources (e.g., Circana/Nielsen, POS data) and space planning software is a plus.
• Knowledge of Trade Marketing, Shopper Marketing, Go-To-Market Strategy, and Category Management, including promotions, retail activation, assortment optimization, and commercialization preferred.
• Strong project management, communication, organizational, and business planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and collaborate across functions.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving skills, initiative, and leadership potential.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000 USD. Compensation for this position will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and overall alignment with the role's responsibilities.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg Household Products LP (USA) Welcome to Freudenberg Without Freudenberg, indoor air would not be as clean, cars would not drive and wounds would not heal as quickly. And these are just three examples from thousands of our applications. Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 51,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.