Senior Category Manager

Idahoan Foods•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is not about maintaining reports - it’s about shaping category decisions with customers. The Senior Category Manager is responsible for driving category growth by translating data, shopper insights, and customer dynamics into clear, actionable recommendations across assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotion. This individual operates as a trusted advisor to both customers and internal Sales leadership, influencing decisions that impact distribution, shelf, and category performance. Success in this role requires someone who is inherently curious, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity, someone who does not wait to be asked for answers, but instead identifies the key questions, connects disparate data sources, and brings forward insights that move the business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (Business, Marketing, Analytics, or related field)
7–10 years of experience in Category Management, Sales Strategy, or Commercial Insights within CPG
Strong proficiency in syndicated and retailer data sources, including deep experience with Circana/Nielsen and Walmart Scintilla, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable category insights
Demonstrated ability to influence customers and cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority
Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
Experience supporting major grocery, mass, club, or omni-channel retailers
Exposure to Revenue Growth Management (RGM) and trade analytics
Intellectual Curiosity & Proactive Mindset – naturally asks “why,” seeks out answers, and uncovers insights without being prompted
Ownership Mentality – takes initiative, drives clarity, and moves work forward in ambiguous situations
Analytical Rigor – connects data to business decisions with strong critical thinking
Storytelling & Communication – simplifies complex insights into clear, compelling narratives
Customer Orientation – understands retailer dynamics and builds credibility through value-added insights
Collaboration – works seamlessly across Sales, Insights, RGM, and Marketing
Drive for Results – focused on outcomes, not just analysis

Responsibilities

Lead category strategy and execution across assigned customers and channels
Serve as the category expert in line reviews, Joint Business Planning (JBP), and customer engagements
Influence retailer decisions across: Assortment & SKU rationalization, shelf space, planograms, and merchandising, price-pack architecture and in-market execution
Build and deliver compelling, insight-led category stories that strengthen retailer partnerships
Proactively identify the key business questions that need to be answered, not just the ones being asked
Integrate multiple data sources (syndicated, retailer, internal) to develop a holistic view of category performance
Identify risks and growth opportunities based on shopper behavior, velocity, and competitive dynamics
Translate analysis into clear “What / So What / Now What” recommendations
Develop data-driven assortment recommendations grounded in productivity and shopper behavior
Support planogram development and shelf optimization initiatives
Identify opportunities to improve category efficiency, navigation, and conversion
Partner with Sales Strategy and RGM to provide category-informed perspectives on: Promotional effectiveness and lift, price ladder execution and pack architecture, post-event insights and optimization opportunities
Ensure recommendations are grounded in ROI and productivity, without direct ownership of trade spend
Identify category white space and emerging shopper needs
Support new item sell-in with insight-driven recommendations
Provide early reads on innovation performance and inform go-forward strategy
Elevate the quality of category storytelling across the organization
Equip Sales teams and brokers with clear, actionable insights
Set the standard for executive-ready, insight-driven communication
Mentor and develop junior team members as applicable