Director, Category Insights – Strategy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Act as a strategic ally to the Sales team by preparing retailer presentations, line reviews, category assessments, and business updates.

• Craft engaging, customer-focused selling narratives based on insights from categories, consumers, and shoppers.

• Discover assortment, distribution, shelving, pricing, and promotional opportunities that foster category growth.

• Assist in the annual planning process, develop retailer strategies, and conduct customer business reviews.

• Engage in retailer meetings and presentations as the category expert when suitable.

• Analyze syndicated data sources (SPINS, Numerator, etc.) to uncover trends, opportunities, and potential risks.

• Keep track of category performance, competitive movements, and emerging consumer trends.

• Generate insights regarding shopper behavior, purchase influences, and category dynamics.

• Convert data into actionable recommendations for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Create and sustain category scorecards and performance dashboards.

• Spearhead assortment recommendations and SKU rationalization analyses.

• Assess whitespace opportunities within customer assortments.

• Formulate data-driven shelving and merchandising recommendations.

• Collaborate with retailers and broker teams on category optimization efforts.

• Aid in the formulation of annual retailer growth strategies.

• Spot opportunities to enhance MUSH's presence in both existing and new categories.

• Contribute to long-term portfolio planning by offering category and consumer insights.

• Work alongside Marketing and Innovation teams to evaluate new product opportunities and market potential.

• Partner with external entities, including brokers, data providers, and retailer category teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Statistics, or a related field.

• Over 5 years of experience in Category Management, Category Leadership, Shopper Insights, Revenue Growth Management, Sales Strategy, or similar CPG roles.

• Extensive experience with syndicated data platforms such as Circana (IRI), NielsenIQ, SPINS, or equivalent.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

• Outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling capabilities.

• Strong presentation and communication abilities.

• Capability to distill large volumes of data into clear, actionable recommendations.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Professional development opportunities