Manager Category Space

Acosta Sales & Marketing; Rogers, Northern (AR, KY); On-site; USD 94,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group is seeking a strategic Category Space Manager to lead space management initiatives for Sam's Fresh. You will manage the Space Management team to deliver merchandising and shelf planning aligned with retailer timelines and category goals.

The role relies on data, syndicated insights, and expert collaboration with retailer leadership and cross-functional partners to optimize space, assortment, and recommendations.

Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5–7 years in space management or related field with a top retailer.
• Experience using data and analytics to influence merchandising strategies.
• Strong leadership and people development abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong presentation skills for retailer and vendor stakeholders.
• 3+ years in CPG analytics and people management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Acosta Space Management team through planogram development and retailer timelines.
• Identify marketplace trends and category insights to support merchandising decisions.
• Develop strategic planogram action plans aligned with retailer goals.
• Ensure training on JDA/Space Planning, automation scripts, and fixture utilization.
• Analyze retailer data, syndicated data, and incrementality insights to strengthen recommendations.
• Recommend space, assortment, and merchandising optimizations based on data.
• Create and deliver presentations for retailer buying teams using insights and data.
• Leverage space automation to improve accuracy, consistency, and productivity.
• Prepare and present monthly business reviews to retailer teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Data analytics

Communication

Project management

Planogram software

Education

College degree or equivalent

Tools

JDA/Space Planning

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Acosta is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Category Space Manager to lead space management initiatives supporting Sam's Fresh business priorities. In this role, you will manage the Acosta Space Management team responsible for delivering high-quality merchandising and shelf planning solutions aligned to retailer timelines, category strategies, and business objectives. You will leverage insights, historical learnings, syndicated data, and consumer behavior research to guide forward-thinking Fresh strategies and ensure planogram programs are executed accurately, efficiently, and on time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What You'll Do

• Lead and manage the Acosta Space Management team through the planogram development process, ensuring key milestones and retailer timelines are met.

• Identify marketplace trends, category insights, and department opportunities that support strategic merchandising decisions.

• Develop strategic planogram action plans and establish priorities aligned with the retailer’s buying team goals and objectives.

• Ensure team members receive appropriate training and development on JDA/Space Planning software, automation scripts, product knowledge, fixture utilization, safety guidelines, and consumer shopping behaviors.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in analyzing retailer data, syndicated data, incrementality insights, and member behavior to strengthen department recommendations.

• Recommend space, assortment, and merchandising optimizations based on available data and cross-functional expertise.

• Create and deliver compelling presentations for retailer buying teams and the vendor community using available tools, insights, and data.

• Leverage Acosta’s space automation capabilities to improve planogram accuracy, consistency, and team productivity.

• Prepare and present monthly business reviews to retailer space planning and buying teams, including project status, timeliness, quality metrics, and key updates.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For:

The ideal candidate is a collaborative people leader with strong space management experience, the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations, and a passion for improving merchandising execution. You should be comfortable working directly with retailer leadership, buying teams, space planning partners, and internal cross-functional stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree or equivalent work experience required.

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of related experience in space management, space planning, or a space technology-based solution with a top retailer.

• Experience using data, insights, and analytics to influence merchandising, category, or assortment strategies.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide, coach, and develop team members.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to share insights and recommendations with retailer and vendor stakeholders.

• Three (3) or more years of Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry and consumer analytics experience preferred.

• Three (3) or more years of people management experience preferred.

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ABOUT US

Acosta Group is a collective uniting the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies - Acosta, ActionLink, CORE Foodservice, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections. Together, we connect consumers with the brands they love through omnichannel selling, merchandising, brand advocacy, and integrated marketing.

We recognize our associates are the foundation of our success. That's why we prioritize your growth, development, and well-being to help you reach your full potential. With programs designed to support a fulfilling work-life balance, we offer opportunities that fit your lifestyle and ambitions - whether you're looking for part-time flexibility or full-time career advancement.

Ready for a career path that's as unique as you? Discover your path at Acosta Group!

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 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.

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Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Category: Retail

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Sales

Salary Range: $94380.00 - $110000.00

Company: Acosta Employee Holdco LLC

Req ID: 37049

Employer Description: US_ACOSTA_GRP_EMP_DESC