Category Insights Manager

Andrews Distributing•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Category Insights Manager (Channel/Portfolio) is part of the Customer Growth Strategy team. This role analyzes industry and shopper trends, supports long-term strategies for product categories and channel segments, and manages relationships with internal team members and external customers. It maximizes portfolio opportunity through product assortment, pricing, promotion, and space planning using a channel- or portfolio-focused lens. The role conducts analysis across multiple data sources and translates insights into actionable retail recommendations. It partners with cross-functional teams and stakeholders on strategies, planning, category performance, and category plans, and develops insight-driven presentations and reports. Channel-focused work provides insights and recommendations for the Liquor and On Premise channels; portfolio-focused work includes communication with brand leadership and channel managers to advance portfolio strategy. The role may involve prolonged computer work, general office duties, intermittent standing, walking, stooping, climbing, and lifting, and driving during the workday. It requires maintaining a valid driver's license and regular, punctual attendance.

Requirements

Channel role: three or more years of progressively responsible category management, sales, and brand experience.
Portfolio role: five or more years of progressively responsible category management, sales, and brand experience.
Three or more years of data analysis and solutions development, including the ability to work across multiple datasets.
Proven change management leadership skills and ability to influence others.
Previous category management and space planning software experience.
Proven project management skills.
Strong understanding of the beer, spirits, and beverage industry.
Ability to build trust and collaborate with and influence people at all organizational levels.
Ability to manage workflow and commitments, meet deadlines, and organize and prioritize workload.
Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Ability to use data and insights to create actionable selling stories.
Ability to work steadily at a fast pace to meet schedules and deadlines.
Active listening, feedback, communication, interpersonal, customer service, negotiation, selling, teamwork, and project management skills.
Change management, coaching, training, and mentoring skills.
JDA Planning Software proficiency and technical aptitude, including computer and iPad skills.
Ability to use a personal computer and company and industry software for email, reports, and other documentation.
Ability to maintain a current and valid driver's license.
Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to perform job functions in compliance with company policies and procedures, including safety policies and best practices.
Ability to speak, hear, and see to communicate and operate computers and office machinery.
Hand-eye coordination, fine manipulation skills, and continual hand/wrist motion to operate computers and office machinery.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Analytics, or another related field.
Strong financial and business acumen.
Previous brand management experience.
Cicerone Certified Beer Server.

Responsibilities

Analyze multiple data sources and synthesize insights into actionable recommendations.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving to identify opportunities and translate analysis into retail action.
Use internal and external data to optimize product introductions, distribution, shelving, pricing, and promotional strategies.
Use category management capabilities, analytical tools, and data visualizations to identify and communicate opportunities.
Prioritize strategic and tactical work to deliver return on investment.
Maintain understanding of Andrews’ sales processes, systems, portfolio, markets, and competition.
Analyze data and provide insights and recommendations related to the assigned portfolio or channel; for Channel focus, address the Liquor and On Premise channels.
Partner with Brand, Andrews’ Center of Excellence, and other stakeholders to understand and develop strategies and objectives.
Contribute to Andrews Shopper First Planning with a focus on measurable value creation.
Participate in the Annual Planning process with stakeholders.
Partner with and provide guidance to Category Manager team members.
Track and report category performance and help develop selling materials.
Lead enterprise efforts to develop category plans.
For Portfolio focus, communicate with brand leadership and channel managers to build understanding of insights and portfolio strategy.
For Channel focus, communicate with channel managers to build understanding of insights and assortment strategy.
Build compelling presentations using internal and external data and visualization tools.
Provide category management reporting, trend analysis, customized reports, and special-project work.
Collaborate with On/Off Sales teams to develop customer-focused presentations reflecting the current retail market and environment.
Drive Category and Space Management best practices.
Collaborate with Category Managers on customer-focused presentations reflecting the current retail market and environment.