Category Manager

Purpose of the Job

Serve as a strategic category partner to Lil' Drug Store Products (LDSP) customers - Leveraging analytics, category expertise, and strong relationships to unlock growth opportunities, optimize performance, and drive sustainable sales and profitability for both LDSP and its accounts.

• Lead category analysis by leveraging sales, shopper, and market data to identify insights and growth opportunities
• Develop and execute category strategies across assortment, pricing, promotion, merchandising, and shelf optimization
• Create and optimize planograms that improve shopper experience and drive category performance
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers by delivering data-driven recommendations aligned with their business objectives
• Identify growth opportunities through white space analysis, distribution expansion, assortment optimization, and emerging category trends
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling insights for business reviews, customer presentations, and strategic recommendations
• Evaluate new products and emerging categories to inform assortment decisions and long-term growth strategies
• Build strong customer and cross-functional relationships to drive collaboration and shared success
• Manage multiple projects and priorities, ensuring timely execution and measurable business impact
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Operations to support innovation, SKU optimization, and customer growth
• Support broader business initiatives and strategic priorities as needed
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelors degree in relevant field (minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree)

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an analytical role
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a customer facing role
• 2 years of project management experience preferred
• 2 years of sales or marketing data analytics experience preferred
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel for data analytics
• Advanced use of Syndicated POS data (Nielsen, Circana, etc.)
• Intermediate use of Consumer Panel data (Numerator, etc.) preferred
• C-store experience preferred
• Ethics, Integrity, Values:
  Has values aligned with the company and acts accordingly. Ably builds trust and is widely trusted.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Interprets and digests complex information while summarizing key findings.
• Organizing
  
  Skills:
  
  Attends to all details.
• Project/Task Management:
  Takes lead to ensure successful completion, communicating with the project team effectively.
• Autonomy/Self-Direction:
  Works well and achieves results with little or no supervision and general directions.
• Results Focus/Output Orientation:
  Demonstrates personal initiative and independent motivation. Is action, team, and results oriented.
• Sales/Persuasion/Influence
  
  Skills:
  
  Presents products, merchandising suggestions, services, or solutions that satisfactorily address needs, and achieve desired win/win outcomes.
• Team Orientation:
  Welcomes or invites participation. Steps up to assist others or support team as needed.
• Presentation
  
  Skills:
  
  Has a professional demeanor, and strong charismatic "presence."
• Interpersonal Communication:
  Builds rapport with all levels within and outside the company.
• Customer Focus:
  Defines success through the lens of the customer.
• Organizational Savvy:
  Understands how organizations work and ably maneuvers and executes within the organizational structure and networks.
• Detail Orientation/Quality Focus:
  Verifies all work. Is accurate and methodical with details and numbers.

• Working Hours:
  
  General office hours, typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with flexibility for business and personal needs.
• Working Environment:
  Work usually performed in an office setting with noise level typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.
• Tools and Equipment Used:
  Computer, tablet, e-mail, phone, and other standard office equipment.
• Travel:
  Travel by airplane or automobile, generally less than 10% of the time.
• Physical Demands:
  Digital dexterity and hand/eye to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment. Ability to effectively communicate with customers, supplier, or employees remotely and in person; ability to travel by airplane or automobile.