Category Strategy Manager

THE ROLE: CATEGORY STRATEGY MANAGER

Reporting to the Category Strategy Senior Director, this person will serve as a key member of our team and will be an important asset to our continued growth. This position will help set the Vitamin category strategy for the future by producing key selling materials, proactively conducting high quality analysis, and synthesizing multiple data sources to develop clear recommendations for category and brand growth.  This role requires experience, independence, and the ability to actively identify opportunities through thought leadership and analytics + insights.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as a Vitamin category expert by analyzing data to provide tools, stories, and recommendations to grow the VMS category including assortment, shelving, and competitor dynamics
Drive accelerated growth across all our VMS OpCos by leveraging data and insights to drive strategic action
Provide national channel recommendations including shelving and assortment for all customers
Own inputs for internal company touchpoints such as Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews and Monthly Planning Sessions as well as drive consistency across syndicated scorecards
Aid with strategic initiatives and growth planning (ASP, JBP, etc.) with key retailers
Support Category Strategy Senior Director with Innovation support for the VMS Operating Companies such as market sizing, category assessment, and opportunity analysis in conjunction with Brand Innovation Teams
Support Category Strategy Senior Director with post-launch support of Brand Teams in understanding shelving placement and competitive launches
Partner with the Category Strategy Senior Director to identify additional national selling materials and growth opportunities as it relates to both internal initiatives (long range planning, AOP) and external initiatives (line reviews, customer JBPs)
Own Category Growth Story, Segment 101s, and National Sales Toolkit/Meeting Category materials with aid of Senior Associate
Conduct Ad Hoc category deep dives to provide inputs to drive strategic direction for the VMS Operating Companies (i.e. Channel Shifting Dynamics, Channel Strategies, consumer shopper behavior, etc.) with support of Senior Associate
Provide consumer buyer behavior perspective to the Operating Companies in order to inform strategy
Live our team values of BE YOURSELF, BE DISRUPTIVE, BE PASSIONATE, BE SUPPORTIVE and make life better for all of us!

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED

3-10 years of experience in Category Management and/or Sales Analytics​
Ability to identify trends, problems, or stories within multiple data sources and translate into insights and stories for actionable growth
Category Management – developing 360 recommendations for national execution and all classes of trade including assortment, shelving, category growth story, brand sell stories, and overall trends​
Proven ability to analyze and identify opportunities for growth with key retailers and bring them to life​
Solid written and verbal communication skills that includes key actionable takeaways and the ‘so what’ solutions
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
Proficiency in utilizing syndicated databases, Microsoft Suite tools, and Power BI (IRI, Nielsen, Numerator)​
Experience building, validating, and communication shelf recommendations to unlock brand, retailer, and category growth
Passion for sales and a strong desire to build a transformational brand in today’s marketplace​
Understanding of working with retailers in all classes of trade​, particularly Amazon, Mass, and Club channels
Experience with cross functional collaboration, particularly Brand/Innovation, Consumer Insights, Category Development, and Field Sales
Experience with a high-performance field organization, sales planning, and broker network​
Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and self-motivated​

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

Initial video screen with a member of our Talent team
Round 1: Conversation with the Hiring Manager + 1-2 conversations with other team members
Round 2: 2-3 conversations with team or cross-functional partners
Final Round: Homework*