Director, Space Strategy & Category Solutions

Acosta Sales & Marketing; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Sales & Marketing is seeking a Director of Space Planning to lead a team supporting a major regional grocery retailer. This hybrid role requires in-office collaboration three days per week and acts as the primary client partner, overseeing planogram development, floor planning, space analytics and category solutions.

You will drive team performance, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic space initiatives, using analytics, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and 6+ years of experience in Space Planning, Category Management, or Retail Analytics.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience.
• Proven experience with Walmart category reviews, MOD development, and relay processes.
• Advanced proficiency with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning.
• Experience with planogram automation tools such as Nuqleous Shelf IQ, Crisp Mission Control, or Blue Yonder POG Generator.

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 and commitments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Drive operational efficiency through resource planning, workload management and process improvement.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Partner with client and internal leadership to identify growth opportunities and deliver strategic solutions.
• Leverage analytics, automation, and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity and service quality.
• Communicate performance, updates, risks, and recommendations to client and company leadership.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Space Planning

People Leadership

Category Management

Retail Analytics

Blue Yonder Space Planning

Planogram Automation

Client Relationship Management

Strategic Solutions

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Nuqleous Shelf IQ

Crisp Mission Control

Blue Yonder POG Generator

Blue Yonder Space Planning

Job description

Acosta Sales & Marketing is seeking a Director of Space Planning to lead a team supporting a major regional grocery retailer. This hybrid role requires in-office collaboration three days per week and acts as the primary client partner, overseeing planogram development, floor planning, space analytics and category solutions.

You will drive team performance, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic space initiatives, using analytics, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and growth.