Manager, Category Advisory - Target

The J.M. Smucker Company; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co. is seeking a Manager, Category Advisory to lead a small team and partner with Target to drive category growth. You will develop strategies, write POGs, and translate shopper insights into actionable plans for shelf optimization.

You will analyze data from POS, Nielsen, and Circana, deliver weekly insights, and influence category strategies across multiple channels. Hybrid work in Minneapolis is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years in Sales Analytics, Category Management, or Shopper Insights.
• Experience with POS, Panel, and Retailer Shopper data (Nielsen, IRI/Circana, DOMO, PartnersOnline, PowerBI/Tableau).
• Proficient in JDA Space Planning and building POGs.
• Customer-facing experience with Target, advisory focus preferred.
• Strong cross-functional teamwork and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 2 direct reports and drive category growth with Target.
• Track sales trends and provide weekly reporting to the buyer.
• Identify opportunities/risks and translate insights into category strategies.
• Develop Plan-o-grams and influence shelf strategy using data sources.
• Prepare clear presentations on trends, opportunities, and growth initiatives.

Skills

Sales analytics

Category management

Shopper insights

Data storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Nielsen

IRI/Circana

DOMO

PowerBI/Tableau

JDA Space Planning

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Manager, Category Advisory - Target Join the Category Advisory team supporting Target, where you will be responsible for leading the customer and a team of 2 direct reports to drive category growth at Target. You will be responsible for partnering closely with the Target category management team to develop strategies, tactics and writing POGs to execute and deliver category growth. You will build customer strategies and deliverables, collect, summarize, and present available data and recommended solutions to provide the Target category management team with information necessary to develop the business. This role is a player coach with the opportunity to develop into a strong leader of their team. Location: Minneapolis, MN Work Arrangements: Hybrid - onsite a minimum of 9 days a month primarily during core weeks as determined by the Company; maybe more as business need requires

In this role you will:

• Manage, coach and develop a team of 2 direct reports
• Track sales trends and insights
• Develop and perform weekly sales reporting to deliver to the buyer
• Identify key opportunities and risks
• Participate in the development of Category strategies based on insights and opportunities
• Review category and item-level performance data to provide clear, actionable recommendations on driving the most productive assortment on shelf for new and existing teams
• Translates and synthesizes consumer, category and shopper insights into strategic growth stories and initiatives with customized retailer specific application / recommendations
• Translates national and channel category trends into retailer specific category opportunities
• Influence and build category strategies leveraging account specific shopper and category data and insights to drive growth
• Deliver POGs for Transition and Revisions (1x/year transition), 3-4x/year seasonal revisions)
• Identify market opportunities leveraging all available tools & resources: Analyze customer’s business using IRI/Circana, Nielsen and customer’s proprietary data (shopper card, POS). Assist in the development of category reviews that will be leveraged to grow total category sales Use information from multiple data sources to identify Category opportunities with a multi-channel approach
• Develop solutions with respect to product distribution, promotion, pricing, and shelf-placement
• Prepare clear and concise presentations to inform customer of business/consumer trends, existing opportunities, and solutions for growth
• Participate in the design and drawing of Plan-o-grams using JDA software
• Conduct both in-store and online competitive retailer downloads (i.e. comp shops)
• Provide seasonal performance analysis and recaps
• Assist other functional areas to develop business opportunities

What we are looking for:

• Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of work experience in Sales Analytics, Category Management, or Shopper Insights
• Strong background utilizing analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills to uncover trends and insights
• Experience using POS, Panel, and Retailer Shopper data (ie. Nielsen, IRI/Circana, DOMO, PartnersOnline, PowerBI / Tableau)
• Proficient in JDA Space Planning software and experience building POGs
• Customer facing experience working with Target, preferably on an Advisory
• Demonstrated ability to develop high-quality relationships
• Strong cross-functional teamwork orientation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence decisions
• Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple projects
• Ability to travel as needed (less than 10%)

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live. We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose

At Smucker, we’re passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong. With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Learn more about working at Smucker

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.