Manager, Category Advisory - Walmart

The J.M. Smucker Co.; Bentonville (AR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Co. is seeking a Manager, Category Advisory - Walmart to partner with Walmart's merchant team, driving category growth through data-driven insights and actionable recommendations.

You will lead category management, shopper analytics, and modular planning, deliver optimized planograms, and collaborate across Sales, Marketing, Insights and R&D to influence assortment and growth initiatives. The role includes up to two direct reports, hybrid work in Rogers, AR, and travel up to 15%

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 6+ years Consumer-Packaged Goods experience.
• 2+ years Walmart Category Advisory experience.
• Experience supervising direct reports.
• Strong analytical skills and storytelling ability.
• Experience with syndicated data (Circana) and JDA ProSpace.

Responsibilities

• Act as the point person for Walmart merchants on category, shopper, and consumer trends with fact-based, insight-led recommendations.
• Lead the modular build process to deliver optimized planograms and assortment strategies.
• Conduct category reviews, SWOT analyses, and scorecard development using syndicated and POS data.
• Integrate data from multiple sources to uncover trends and develop actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Insights, and R&D to support buyer strategies and category initiatives.
• Stay current with industry best practices and pursue continuous improvement of advisory execution.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Scintilla

Excel

PowerPoint

Circana

JDA ProSpace

Tableau

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Manager, Category Advisory - Walmart

As a Walmart Category Advisor for JM Smucker, you will serve as a trusted partner to Walmart’s merchant team on a dynamic advisor team, driving category growth through data-driven insights, strategic recommendations, and flawless execution. You will leverage deep expertise in category management, shopper and consumer analytics, and modular planning to deliver actionable solutions that enhance sales, market share, and customer satisfaction. You will have up to two direct reports, on a team of six.

Location:

Rogers, AR (JMS Regional Walmart Office)

Work Arrangements:

Hybrid - onsite a minimum of 2 days per week

In This Role You Will

Category Leadership & Advisory

• Act as point person for Walmart merchants on category, shopper, and consumer trends, providing fact-based, insight-led recommendations
• Lead the modular build process, delivering optimized planograms and assortment strategies that align with Walmart’s objectives
• Conduct category reviews, SWOT analyses, and scorecard development using syndicated and POS data (Circana, Scintilla, Primary/Secondary Research)
• Assess new product introductions, market analyses, and assortment changes to drive category and brand growth

Insights & Analytics

• Integrate data from multiple sources (syndicated, panel, POS, customer insights) to uncover compelling trends and develop actionable recommendations
• Utilize tools such as Scintilla, Excel, PowerPoint, Circana, JDA, and Tableau for analysis and reporting
• Deliver accurate, insightful reporting to Walmart with expert commentary on current performance and future trends

Collaboration & Communication

• Work cross-functionally with internal teams (Sales, Marketing, Insights, R&D) to support buyer strategies and category initiatives
• Participate in account strategic planning processes and collaborate on assortment, space, and merchandising solutions
• Present findings and recommendations confidently to Walmart merchants and internal stakeholders at all levels

Continuous Improvement

• Stay abreast of industry developments and best practices in category management, proactively seeking opportunities to strengthen professional competence
• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset to elevate advisory execution and advocate for resources and technology to provide leading category capabilities

Minimum Requirements

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years of Consumer-Packaged Goods experience
• 2+ years of Walmart Category Advisory experience
• Experience supervising direct reports and fostering collaboration across a team
• Experience building relationships within customers / retailers
• Experience in analysis of shopper / consumer-based CPG information
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving, and storytelling experience
• Scintilla Channel Performance and Shopper experience
• JDA ProSpace software experience
• Ability to lead and motivate direct reports
• Excellent organization and written / verbal communication skills
• Proficient in leveraging syndicated data
• Ability to develop and translate insights into actions
• Strategic mindset to help build and execute effective plans
• Ability to travel up to 15%

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role (not required):

• Master’s degree
• ShelfIQ experience

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.

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We're 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.