Associate Category Manager

Link Snacks • Minneapolis, MN

2d

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager, focusing on Mass / Club, supports the creation and implementation of category management strategies to develop win-win solutions and strengthen long-term strategic customer partnerships. The role collaborates cross-functionally with the sales team to optimize product assortments, pricing, and promotional strategies in alignment with company objectives. The position involves analyzing sales, consumer, and market information, supporting assortment and planogram decisions, maintaining customer relationships, tracking category performance, and monitoring competitors and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in category management, sales, analytics, or a related CPG role.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
• Proficiency with syndicated data such as Nielsen or Circana, retailer-specific loyalty card data, and shopper panel metrics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Initiative-taking, results-driven mindset and passion for consumer products.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the CPG industry, particularly in salty snacks.
• Experience with JDA Space Planning software.

Responsibilities

• Analyze sales data, consumer trends, and market dynamics to identify category growth opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations for assortments, pricing, and promotions.
• Assist in developing and optimizing product assortments and planograms.
• Analyze product performance, conduct gap analysis, and recommend products for introduction or discontinuation based on consumer demand and profitability.
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with key customers and retailers.
• Track and report key performance metrics, such as sales and share.
• Update the sales team on category performance and recommend actions to improve results.
• Monitor competitor activities and industry trends to identify new category growth opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) participation
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Annual incentive and program-specific awards may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level