Senior Manager - Category Management, Marketing - Sonic

IRB USA Inspire Resources; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonic Drive-In is seeking a Senior Manager, Category Management to develop and execute beverage, snack, and sides category strategies, packaging, and innovation to drive growth. You will translate insights into actionable category plans that improve sales, profitability, and brand differentiation.

You will lead the end-to-end innovation process, build and manage pipelines, and oversee launch readiness, market tests, and post-launch evaluation while collaborating with cross-functional teams and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a category or brand management position.
• Business acumen with understanding of market trends, consumers, competitors, and P&L fluency.
• Experience taking product ideas from ideation to execution.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking skills.
• Ability to collect, synthesize, and present information in an actionable manner to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead Category Strategy and Growth – develop short- and long-term category, product, and packaging strategies.
• Own Innovation Pipeline – end-to-end process from concept to launch across beverage, snack, and sides.
• Lead Market Testing and Launch Execution – oversee market tests and launch readiness activities.
• Own Category Performance and Insights – monitor performance and present data-driven recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Category management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Growth mindset

Education

4-year degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

The Senior Manager, Category Management will report to the Director, Category Management and is responsible for developing and executing Sonic’s beverage, snacks, and sides categories, packaging, and innovation strategies that support Sonic’s long‑term growth objectives. This role plays a critical leadership position in shaping the menu innovation roadmap, identifying growth opportunities, and translating consumer, operational, and business insights into actionable category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and brand differentiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead Category Strategy and Growth – develop and execute short‑ and long‑term category, product, and packaging strategies that support Sonic’s business objectives and drive sustainable sales and profit growth.
• Own Innovation Pipeline – lead the end‑to‑end innovation process from concept development through commercialization, including opportunity identification, business case development, product testing, launch planning, and post‑launch evaluation. Build and manage the beverage, snack, and sides pipeline across core menu, limited‑time offers, and packaging.
• Lead Market Testing and Launch Execution – oversee market‑test strategy, execution, and performance evaluation; drive launch readiness activities (stage gate deliverables, execution checklist, operational alignment, training, launch materials) and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Own Category Performance and Insights – monitor category, product, promotion, and test performance; lead consumer research; leverage marketplace, competitive, and operational insights to inform strategy; develop data‑driven recommendations and present findings to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Preferred 4‑year degree.
• 7+ years of experience in a category or brand management position.
• Business acumen with understanding of market trends, consumers, competitors, and P&L fluency.
• Experience taking product ideas from ideation to execution.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking skills.
• Ability to collect, synthesize, and present information in an actionable manner to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Detail oriented with focus on accuracy, process management, and execution excellence.
• Project management skills and ability to work cross‑functionally.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Self‑starter with excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Inquisitive, growth mindset, passion for learning and solving problems.

Management & Direct Reports: 1 Category Specialist.