Deep Dive | Category Manager

Market Performance Group; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Deep Dive is a department within Market Performance Group seeking a Category Manager hybrid in Minneapolis. You will deliver category strategy, manage data and insights, and partner with Target to optimize assortment, pricing, and promotions.

Strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills are required. This role offers competitive salary, benefits, and growth opportunities within MPG's omnichannel retail services.

Qualifications

• Experience leading category-management or category-captain work with Target, including use of shopper and sales insights to develop assortment, shelf-layout, promotion, and growth recommendations for an entire product category.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with Target systems.
• Able to prioritize tasks based on understanding of business needs.
• Intellectual curiosity to formulate constructive questions and solutions to drive the business.
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Utilize category management skills and understanding to deliver against brand volume, market share, and profit objectives.
• Develop and manage all consumption, shipment, and consumer-based information disseminated to Target’s buying team.
• Work with data to develop recommendations for products, pricing, promotion and merchandising.
• Support insights and recommendations on new items, promotional planning, and pricing initiatives.
• Collaborate with Target’s buying team to drive launch strategy.
• Identify unmet consumer needs and participate in cross-functional teams to address them.
• Communicate industry trends to key stakeholders.
• Plan, create and perform extensive POG building; maintain confidentiality of restricted customer information.
• Manage and develop direct reports; foster learning and growth.

Skills

Category management

Communication

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Target systems

Planogram software

Job description

About Deep Dive

Deep Dive is a business intelligence and insights agency where data meets creativity — and retail ideas come to life. We partner with retailers as category captains and trusted advisors to shape category and channel strategies that grow sales, market share, and shopper love.

Brief Description

DEEP DIVE | CATEGORY MANAGER

About Deep Dive

Deep Dive is a business intelligence and insights agency where data meets creativity — and retail ideas come to life. We partner with retailers as category captains and trusted advisors to shape category and channel strategies that grow sales, market share, and shopper love. Think of us as an extension of the merchant team — your go-to crew for turning insights into action at retail. From planograms and reporting to data analytics, insights, and strategy building, we do it all under one roof. What drives us? Curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for retail. We ask questions, dig deeper, and listen closely to uncover what really moves shoppers. By blending the art and science of retail, we build merchandising strategies designed to win — in every aisle, every store, every day. As part of Market Performance Group (MPG) — a national leader in omnichannel strategy, commercialization, and retail services — we bring the scale, relationships, and expertise of a proven industry powerhouse, paired with the agility and entrepreneurial energy of a local team that loves what we do. The Creative Partners Group (The CPG), by MPG, is a comprehensive retail solutions company. The CPG represents established and emerging brands across all categories of merchandise and provides acclaimed services that build brands and businesses. Deep Dive is an entity of The CPG, which provides category management and analytics as the foundation and to further fuel growth.

Position Overview

This is a hybrid role based in Minneapolis, MN.

You will excel as a Category Manager if you are able to provide the best service to our clients through exceptional communication, top-notch problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive current business growth as well as identify and develop new relationships to drive growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilize category management skills and understanding to deliver against brand volume, market share, and profit objectives
• Develop and manage all consumption, shipment, and consumer-based information that are disseminated to Target’s buying team
• Work with variety of data to develop recommendations for products or Retailer product mix, pricing, promotion and merchandising
• Provide assistance in developing insights and recommendations on new items, promotional planning, "fix the product mix" opportunities, merchandising optimization, and pricing initiatives
• Work with Target’s buying team to utilize category and consumer management insights to help drive overall product launch strategy
• Identify unmet consumer needs and participate in cross-functional teams to develop product, service, and market-space solutions to address those needs
• Communicate relevant industry trending information to key stakeholders
• Communicate relevant industry trending information to key stakeholders
• Plan, create and perform extensive POG building throughout transition / revision processesMaintain confidentiality of restricted customer information
• Manage and develop direct reports by creating an environment that fosters learning and growth.
• Champion “Best in Class” analysis and reporting by utilizing your resources and being an expert with spreadsheets, databases, and presentation tools.
• Continually improve Category Management proficiencies, people management skills and business skill set.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Understanding of AC Nielsen, NPD or IRI syndicated data, marketing research, and current product sales and industry trends.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Power point
• Working knowledge of category management and planogram software
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize work to meet deadlines
• Strong leadership, teamwork, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities at all levels of the organization
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships and partnerships
• Entrepreneurial attitude, agility, and resourcefulness
• Utmost respect for confidentiality & objectivity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations
• Strong organizational and negotiation skills
• Ability to self-direct and work autonomously
• Must meet all pre-employment and post-hire requirements, including but not limited to: background check, drug screening, and motor vehicle review

Qualifications And Required Skills

• Experience leading category-management or category-captain work with Target, including use of shopper and sales insights to develop assortment, shelf-layout, promotion, and growth recommendations for an entire product category.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with Target systems.
• Able to prioritize tasks based on understanding of business needs.
• Utilizes critical thinking to drive for results
• Intellectual curiosity to formulate constructive questions and solutions to drive the business.
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.
• Has a sense of urgency and is able to anticipate the needs of the business and team.
• Values and uses their time and the time of others effectively and efficiently.

COMPENSANTION

The expected base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based bonuses and other compensation programs.

Benefits

MPG offers a generous package of health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, paid maternity/paternity leave and life insurance. Our compensation program provides market industry base salary, bonuses, and 401K. In addition to paid holidays, we reward an employee’s extra efforts through unlimited paid time off.

Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to ensuring that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is a part of our DNA. We embrace the beauty in all of the unique qualities of our employees, communities and clients. MPG’s DEIB efforts empower us to collectively reach our full potential by fueling innovation, connection, and growth. We recognize the value of having a diverse and engaged team. We are an organization driven by PEOPLE. We believe that by leveraging the unique perspectives and experiences of our employees, MPG can unlock more comprehensive, innovative, and long-standing results for both our client and retailer partners. We will always strive for improvement and thus we have made intentional commitments to further champion DEIB. The foundation of our pledge starts with our promise to each other, our clients, and the community.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation

It is MPG’s practice to provide and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, family medical history, genetic information or other protected medical condition, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by and in accordance with applicable laws. We are dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive application and selection process. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment or hiring process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail] and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

2026 Market Performance Group

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