Category Analyst, Grocery

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Act as a reliable partner focused on driving category growth for Grocery retailers

• Provide data-driven insights and category solutions that foster mutually beneficial growth in categories

• Collaborate with customer management and Sales to align and implement category and brand strategies

• Spearhead category management initiatives and deliver strategic insights related to shoppers, categories, and markets

• Establish and nurture robust internal and external relationships

• Create Category Insights Reviews, strategies for shelving excellence, JDA planograms, assortment optimization, pricing/promotion efficiencies, and initiatives for merchandising effectiveness

• Analyze syndicated data, shopper insights, retailer POS data, and market trends

• Develop and maintain scalable tools, reports, scorecards, and templates

• Evaluate category, shopper, and competitive trends to uncover growth opportunities

• Support the annual planning process for customers and strategic initiatives with actionable insights

• Oversee multiple projects and priorities as a trusted category expert for designated customers

• Formulate and implement growth strategies and customer engagement plans for the Confectionery, Salty Snacks, and Treats & Snacks categories

• Offer recommendations on shelf layout, assortment planning, space-to-sales, item placement, and POG

• Develop, maintain, and communicate performance scorecards for POG

• Utilize project management skills throughout ideation, development, piloting, testing, learning, and scaling phases

• Influence annual planning through collaboration with Sales

• Analyze data and create planograms as a technical subject matter expert

• Engage with customers at headquarters and present fact-based selling to stakeholders

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree is mandatory

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in CPG Sales key accounts, retail, and/or analyst roles

• Proven analytical skills and capabilities

• Willingness to travel at least 25–40% of the time

• Valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required

• Ability to work in a field-sales and home office setting

• Successful completion of a drug and background screening is necessary

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with Nielsen Scan data is preferred

• Familiarity with JDA is advantageous

• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint

• Skills in external selling, negotiation, and influencing are essential

🏝️ Benefits

• Variable pay and general allowances, if applicable

• 401(k) plan

• Company-sponsored medical insurance

• Company-sponsored dental insurance

• Company-sponsored vision insurance

• Basic life insurance for employees and eligible dependents

• Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave, if eligible

• 120 hours of vacation annually

• Paid sick leave with 100% pay continuation for up to 40 hours per calendar year, for eligible Associates

• 12 paid holidays throughout the year, including both fixed and flexible holidays

• Remote field-sales and home-office setup