Senior Category Manager

Ornua Co-operative Limited • Evanston, IL

15d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ornua is actively seeking a Senior Category Manager to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory. This position will play a key role in driving category growth, strengthening retailer partnerships, and shaping strategic decisions across the Ornua portfolio through advanced insights, analytics, and collaboration.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE
As our Senior Category Manager, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of category strategy development, retailer-specific category plans, and insight driven recommendations directly influencing growth initiatives, product assortment decisions, promotional strategies and overall category performance. Your contributions will strengthen our operations, support our culture of continuous improvement, and help Ornua deliver high-quality products enjoyed by consumers around the world.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE
You bring a passion for excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment and take pride in producing high-quality insights that influence commercial outcomes. Your strong analytical skills, financial acumen, and ability to translate data into clear stories make you a trusted partner to both internal teams and retail customers.

At Ornua, success is not just about what you do — it’s how you do it. You demonstrate our values by seeking new ideas, making things happen, showing care for your teammates, being your authentic self, and achieving great things together.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in an analytical, research, business, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in a category management role within FMCG/CPG
• Highly numerate with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Advanced ability to extract insights from syndicated data (Circana, Nielsen – POS and Panel)
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex data
• Proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint at an advanced level
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team
• Commercially aware with experience supporting customer-facing initiatives
• Ability to travel for customer meetings as required
• Must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in sales or working cross-functionally with sales teams
• Knowledge of joint business planning processes
• Experience with shopper marketing concepts and retailer-specific decision frameworks
• Familiarity with shopper insight platforms (Stratum, 84.51°, or similar)
• Experience working in global, matrixed, or fast‑growing FMCG organizations
• Exposure to project management or leading cross-functional initiatives
• Multilingual ability or international market experience is a plus

Benefits

• Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.
• Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.
• Dynamic Working policy supporting flexible hours and hybrid work options.
• Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
• The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.

What This Job Offers

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