The Category Development Manager is responsible for category, consumer and shopper insights data to create customer-focused strategies, tactics, and category grounded solutions. As a key member of the sales team, this role contributes to driving company sales and profits and to gaining an advantage over competitors by driving strategic insights and value-added tools/programs to drive increased performance for designated categories at retail. The primary key to success for this role is to cultivate business relationships with external retailer contacts that establish Califia Farms as the indispensable partner for category and shopper insights needs.
- Utilize syndicated data, account-specific data, consumer and shopper insights to create direction within our categories for the sales team
- Conduct necessary consumer and shopper research, including business issue identification and key questions
- Address complex business problems leveraging multiple data sources and tools
- Provide ongoing trend analysis (business performance and drivers) to seize value-creating opportunities as well as take corrective action as necessary
- Create and deliver customer specific presentations with relevant consumer insights, competitive insights and recommendations in preparation for top to tops, quarterly business reviews and category reviews with assigned customers
- Provide input into customer planning cycle based on knowledge of category and shopper trends, competitive issues, etc.
- Deliver analysis on new item introductions and performance analysis
- Develop analysis to highlight merchandising effectiveness, which includes display and promotion effectiveness
- Maintain regular internal and retailer specific scorecards and trackers
- Interact and collaborate with senior sales and marketing management peers
- Moderate travel, 25-30%
- Bachelor's degree required
- Minimum of 3-5 years in a Category Management/Analyst role
- Minimum of 5 years in CPG industry
- 3+ Years Spins/Nielsen/Circana data as well as Consumer/Shopper Panel data experience is required; Shopper Loyalty card experience; Stratum (84.51), Retail Link, Partners Online etc. preferred
- Proven analytical skills and ability to successfully integrate different streams of information into sound propositions
- Understand tools and techniques to merchandise and market at retail
- Additional analytical experience and competencies (i.e., Tableau, Microsoft Access, Power BI, ProSpace, SQL, VBA, Alteryx)
- Capable of building strong networks and working relationships by effectively influencing people that are cross-functional
- Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects against deadlines
The expected salary range for this position is between $110,000 - $135,000 per year based on a full-time schedule. Location, confirmed job-related skills and experience will be considered in setting the actual salary.
The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.