Director, Space Management & Category Solutions

Acosta; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group is seeking a Director of Space Planning to lead a regional team and partner with a major grocery retailer. This hybrid role focuses on overseeing planogram and floor planning, analytics, and strategic category solutions to drive merchandising effectiveness and business growth.

The candidate will manage budgets, resources, and client relationships, delivering innovative space management strategies while leveraging AI-enabled tools for continuous improvement and scalable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience in Space Planning, Category Management, Retail Analytics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience.
• Expertise supporting Walmart category reviews, MOD development, and relay processes.
• Advanced proficiency with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Space Planning professionals supporting a major regional grocery retailer.
• Oversee space planning, planogram development, merchandising, and category management initiatives.
• Manage team performance, coaching, talent development, succession planning, and staffing needs.
• Ensure projects, deliverables, and service commitments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Drive operational efficiency through resource planning, workload management, and process improvement.
• Manage financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Partner with client and internal leadership to identify growth opportunities and deliver strategic solutions.
• Leverage analytics, automation, AI-enabled tools, and industry best practices to enhance productivity and service quality.
• Communicate business performance, project updates, risks, and recommendations to client and company leadership.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Space Planning

Team Leadership

Analytics

Budgeting

Client Relationship Management

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Blue Yonder Space Planning

Blue Yonder Floor Planning

Nuqleous Shelf IQ

Crisp Mission Control

Blue Yonder POG Generator

Job description

This is a # hybrid role , requiring in‑office collaboration three days per week . The Director leads a team of Space Planning professionals supporting a major regional grocery retailer while serving as the primary client partner . This role oversees planogram development, floor plan management, space analytics, and category solutions that drive merchandising effectiveness, operational excellence, and business growth. You will be responsible for team leadership, resource planning, project execution, and financial performance , the Director drives continuous improvement through analytics, automation, and AI-enabled solutions. This role strengthens client partnerships, identifies growth opportunities , and delivers innovative space management strategies that improve efficiency, scalability, and measurable business results.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Space Planning professionals supporting a major regional grocery retailer.
• Oversee space planning, planogram development, merchandising, and category management initiatives.
• Manage team performance, coaching, talent development, succession planning, and staffing needs.
• Ensure projects, deliverables, and service commitments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Drive operational efficiency through resource planning, workload management, and process improvement.
• Manage financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Partner with client and internal leadership to identify growth opportunities and deliver strategic solutions.
• Leverage analytics, automation, AI-enabled tools, and industry best practices to enhance productivity and service quality.
• Communicate business performance, project updates, risks, and recommendations to client and company leadership.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience in Space Planning, Category Management, Retail Analytics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience.
• Expertise supporting Walmart category reviews, MOD development, and relay processes.
• Advanced proficiency with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning.
• Experience with planogram automation tools (Nuqleous Shelf IQ, Crisp Mission Control, Blue Yonder POG Generator, or similar).
• Proven success managing client relationships, project budgets, resource planning, and project delivery.
• Strong leadership, communication, and business development skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading onsite client service teams within retail , grocery, category management, or space planning environments.
• Proven ability to build executive-level client relationships and manage large-scale client engagements.
• Experience driving process improvements, automation, AI-enabled solutions, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Category Management certification preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and partnering with retailers, Category Advisors/Captains, and CPG manufacturers.
• Knowledge of Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning solutions.

About Us

Acosta is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey. Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world. But it’s not just about what we do – it’s about who we are. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we’re a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. And, we understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide our associates with flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners and their customers.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] . Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

Acosta Group utilizes E-Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. If you want more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E-Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e-verify.gov)

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