Category Manager – Cincinnati, OH - $120k salary +15% bonus – Excellent RELO Package – Direct Hire
Must Haves:
Category Management experience required
Strong analytical and reporting skills (Proficient in syndicated data IRI and/or Nielsen)
3+ years’ Retailer specific data (84.51 Stratum, Market6)
2+ years’ experience in a FCPG environment
Bachelor’s Degree
The individual in this role will provide consulting for category analysis and business insights to Kroger in the areas of assortment, shelving, and shopper insights to drive Seasonal category growth and to help deliver against Lindt USA’s business objectives. This includes developing and presenting compelling, insight-based stories that support Lindt strategies and will make a direct impact in growing Lindt’s Seasonal chocolate business at Kroger. This role requires strong analytical capabilities, problem solving skills and storytelling ability.
Essential Job Functions/Key Accountabilities
Category Management
Act as a consultant to Kroger, providing unbiased recommendations to drive overall Seasonal category growth.
Utilize space management software (JDA) to analyze and validate retailer planograms and to develop strategic planogram recommendations to help Kroger maximize sales.
Synthesize multiple data sources including IRI, 84.51 and Shopper Insights & Research to craft compelling, concise, and actionable selling stories.
Play a leadership role in conducting category management reviews, analyzing business issues, and providing business insights and recommendations in the areas of assortment, merchandising, wayfinding and price partitions, to improve business results.
Attend customer meetings to present analysis, trend information and category opportunities. Attendance may be in conjunction with the account manager or one on one with the buyer.
Support the Brand Marketing team with Seasonal specific insights derived from Kroger data sources.
Lead all analysis and reporting of results associated with Seasonal Kroger in-store product tests.
Sales & Marketing Support
Influence the development of strategic sales and category action plans through the sharing of knowledge gained from customer specific shopper card information. Help to establish priorities that are consistent with Lindt and key account goals and objectives, market share and overall category profitability.
Provide sales managers with post event analytics and YOY implementation opportunities to drive the total seasonal confection category and Lindt brands in Kroger.
Actively participate in weekly team calls or meetings with respective Sales managers and/or marketing.
Research and Analysis
Serve as the expert on assigned accounts by fully understanding shopper motivations, triggers and barriers through available shopper card, insights or panel information.
Be the information expert in the analysis of syndicated data, shopper card data, household panel data, and customer point of sale data, leading to key insights and business recommendations in the areas of item distribution and assortment.
Skills & Knowledge:
Proficient computer skills; including extensive, advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
Strong analytical and reporting skills (Proficient in syndicated data IRI and/or Nielsen)
Proficient in Category Management tools (eg JDA)
Excellent written and oral communication.
Experience:
3-5 years analytical experience.
3-5 years’ experience with one or more of the following:
Retailer specific data (84.51 Stratum, Market6)
2+ years’ experience in a FCPG environment, preferred.
Category Management experience required
Education:
S. or B.A. degree
MBA Preferred
Other Requirements:
Travel ~10% of time
This role is based in Cincinnati, OH
Success Criteria
Action Oriented – Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and full of energy for things he/ she sees as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others.
Perseverance – Pursues everything with energy, drive and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
Intellectual Horsepower – Is bright and intelligent; deals with concepts and complexity comfortably; described as intellectually sharp, capable and agile.
Problem Solving – Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answers.
Peer Relationships – Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all; can represent his / her own interests and yet be fair to other groups; can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise; is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration; can be candid with peers.
Decision Quality – Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement; most of his / her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.
Interpersonal Savvy – Relates well to all kinds of people – up, down and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can defuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records