Category Manager

Accountabilities:: As Category Manager, you will serve as a strategic partner to commercial and marketing teams, using analytical expertise and market knowledge to identify growth opportunities and improve category performance. Analyze market and consumer data: Interpret syndicated retail data, consumer insights, retailer performance, and market trends to identify opportunities and support strategic decisions. Develop category growth strategies: Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations that improve category performance, product positioning, and commercial outcomes. Support sales and marketing initiatives: Partner with Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional leadership to align category strategies with business priorities and market opportunities. Evaluate retailer performance: Assess category trends, pricing, promotional activity, and consumer purchasing behavior to identify areas for improvement and growth. Prepare category presentations: Develop clear, compelling reports and presentations that communicate complex findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders. Support retailer-specific planning: Contribute to category reviews, Joint Business Plans, and tailored growth strategies for major retail partners. Leverage analytics tools: Use Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, and other business intelligence platforms to analyze data, visualize trends, and communicate insights effectively. Manage multiple projects: Coordinate analytical projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain effective collaboration across departments. Monitor category dynamics: Track developments in fresh produce, food retail, pricing, promotions, seasonality, and consumer behavior to inform business decisions. Maintain compliance: Meet applicable employment requirements, including maintaining a valid driver's license and a driving record that complies with relevant policies and requirements. Requirements: The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with commercial awareness, effective communication, and the ability to turn complex datasets into practical strategies that drive business results. Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Analytics, or a related field. Professional experience: At least 5 years of experience in Category Management, Sales Analytics, Consumer Insights, or a related function. Experience in fresh produce, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or food retail is preferred. Data analysis: Demonstrated ability to interpret complex datasets, identify meaningful trends, and develop actionable business recommendations. Retail analytics platforms: Experience working with syndicated retail and consumer panel data, such as Circana, NielsenIQ, or comparable platforms. Microsoft Office proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including the ability to analyze data and present insights effectively. Business intelligence tools: Working proficiency in Power BI or similar reporting and visualization platforms, such as Tableau. Communication and presentation: Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical findings to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise. Project management: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and collaborate across functional teams. Driver's license: Valid driver's license and a driving record that meets applicable company policy, insurance, and DMV requirements. Employment screening: Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment screening consistent with applicable state and federal law. Preferred Qualifications: Experience working directly with major U.S. grocery, mass-market, or club retailers. Experience developing Joint Business Plans, category reviews, and retailer-specific growth strategies. Understanding of fresh produce category dynamics, including seasonality, pricing, promotional strategies, and consumer purchasing behavior. Benefits: Annual salary: $80,000–$110,000, with actual compensation determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market alignment. Medical and dental coverage: Access to a subsidized benefits package. Vision benefits: Generous annual vision reimbursement allowance for each covered family member. Retirement savings: Access to a 401(k) plan. Paid leave: Paid time off and paid sick and safe leave. Life insurance: Employer-paid life insurance coverage. Fitness support: Subsidized gym membership. Entertainment discounts: Discounted tickets to major theme parks throughout California. Work arrangement: Remote work eligibility or an on-site arrangement in Bakersfield, California. Work schedule: Day shift.