Associate Manager, Category & Insights

Storck USA, L.P. • Chicago, IL

26d • $95,000 - $115,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

General Summary: The Associate Manager, Category Management will support the development and execution of category leadership strategies that drive mutual growth for Storck and its retail partners. This role delivers data-driven insights, supports customer-facing selling stories, and provides analytical leadership for assigned categories and customers. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities, an understanding of shopper and category dynamics, and the ability to translate data into compelling recommendations that influence internal and external stakeholders. This role acts as a bridge between Sales, Marketing, Business Activation, Insights, and retail customers, helping advance Storck’s category presence across channels while supporting long-term brand and customer strategies.

Requirements

• Ability to summarize data and develop concise reports that support storytelling and translate to sales results
• Strong analytical skills with proven ability to manage large, complex data sets
• Proficiency in either IRI, or Nielsen data and software
• Highly Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point) and other presentation mediums
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Strong teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal)
• Energetic and action-oriented individual
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of category management or customer/shopper marketing or Sales Strategy / Commercial Strategy experience required, preferably with a CPG/FMCG company.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed business analyses—including distribution, pricing, promotion, assortment, class-of-trade trends, and competitive/category assessments—to identify issues, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Translate consumer, shopper, and category insights into actionable recommendations for customers and internal teams.
• Support development of the Storck “Picture of Success” across categories, channels, and customers.
• Build and maintain reporting dashboards and tools that enable data-driven decision-making.
• Lead development of fact-based selling stories that communicate category growth opportunities using syndicated (IRI/Nielsen) and panel data.
• Analyze merchandising effectiveness and shelf placement to recommend improvements in assortment and space optimization. Manage and update internal category tools, templates, and dashboards.
• Leverage IRI/Nielsen data, retailer-specific data, and customer panel data to support analysis.
• Monitor class-of-trade and customer performance trends, identifying shifts and emerging opportunities.
• Serve as a category partner to Sales Managers, helping prepare for line reviews, business reviews, and joint business planning sessions.
• Present category insights and recommendations to customers in collaboration with Sales.
• Support development of customer-specific programs, assortment recommendations, and promotional insights.
• Act as the internal subject-matter expert on category and shopper dynamics for assigned accounts.
• Provide field support during key customer engagements by delivering category insights and strengthening customer relationships.
• Evaluate customer-specific opportunities such as custom packs, innovation launches, and merchandising programs.
• Contribute to annual planning cycles by providing category insights and partnering with Sales to identify key customer initiatives.
• Support Sales leadership in the development of annual volume, distribution, and promotional plans using category insights.
• Assist in the creation and tracking of key category strategies, ensuring consistent execution across teams and accounts.
• Stay current with industry trends—including competitive landscape, shopper behavior, and channel shifts—to inform category recommendations.
• Work closely with Sales, Brand Marketing, Shopper Marketing, Business Activation, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure alignment on category strategies.
• Partner with Insights to leverage syndicated data, shopper research, and in-market testing to inform category strategies.
• Collaborate with Business Activation on the development of selling materials that support customer presentations.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to communicate customer performance, emerging insights, and category opportunities.
• Fulfill Storck Company Values; Passion, Belonging, and Growth
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• The salary range for this position is USD $95,000-$115,000 annually at the time of this posting.
• This position is also eligible for bonus pay.
• Storck offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including a 6% employer 401(k) plan contribution, Health benefits on day 1 including a 100% employer paid option for medical and dental, Hybrid flexible work schedule including reduced Friday hours all year round, Paid maternity/paternity leave, Monthly wellness stipend, and more.
• This position is also eligible for PTO ranging from 35-45 days based on our Company PTO Policies and paid Sabbaticals ranging from 5-20 days based on tenure.
• Plus, we can’t forget to mention the supply of delicious candy!!

What This Job Offers

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