Specialist Category Management

Summary:

Specialist, Category Management serves as a category expert across multiple consumer packaged goods categories, supporting business growth through category insights, portfolio management, innovation development, and customer-facing recommendations. This role leverages syndicated data, consumer research, market trends, and competitive intelligence to identify opportunities, develop compelling selling stories, and support strategic decision-making. The position offers broad exposure to Sales, Marketing, R&D, Regulatory, Finance, and Operations, providing a strong development path toward future leadership roles within Category Management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Market & Competitive Analysis
· Utilize syndicated data, market research, category insights, and market analysis to develop and update Sales Materials and support New Product Development
· Launch new consumer market research surveys to support and inform category insights
· Utilize Data Tools and Insights to become a Category Expert Portfolio Management
· Support category sales, margin, and profitability objectives through portfolio analysis, SKU optimization recommendations, and innovation planning.
· Leverage Cross-Functional Teams to create selling slides for project approval meetings
· Manage Customer Correspondence Letters for any new portfolio enhancements
· Help keep category portfolio up-to-date based on market audits, product life cycle, syndicated data, consumer trends and online research
· Support product conversions, reformulations, packaging updates, and assortment optimization initiatives.
· Maintain category portfolio documentation, competitive tracking tools, and innovation pipelines.
· Assist with Stage Gate and new product approval processes.

New Product Development
· Utilize research tools and consumer trends to develop Category Insights to inform short-term and Long-Term new product pipeline opportunities
· Manage new product label claim development with Cross-Functional Teams
· Help prepare Customer Presentations and make category assortment recommendations
· Evaluate emerging consumer trends and whitespace opportunities to support innovation strategy.
· Develop consumer-focused product claims and product concepts in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
· Support customer category presentations, conversion activities, and new item launches.
· Partner with R&D, Packaging Development and Sales teams to bring new products to market.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

n/a

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Marketing or Communications Experience Requirements:0-4 years of experience in Category Management, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Product Development, Business Analytics, Sales Support, or related Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) experience. Internship experience in CPG, retail analytics, market research, or category management is highly valued.

Competencies:

· Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify opportunities from data and market insights.
· Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
· Strong communication, presentation, and data storytelling skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations for internal teams and customers.
· Self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively drive projects.
· Intellectual curiosity and passion for uncovering consumer, shopper, and market insights.
· Ability to utilize quantitative, qualitative, and syndicated research tools to identify consumer trends and…