"Alerted.org

Job Purpose

Lead customer and category market insights, developing and advising strategies grounded in fact-based insights. Leverage syndicated data, point-of-sale (POS) data, and other shopper/consumer resources to deliver growth in sales and market share. Closely partner with the customer merchant teams and cross-functional stakeholders to execute the category strategy.

Essential Functions

+ Category Strategy & Planning

+ Serve as the customer’s category advisor to objectively present category recommendations grounded in data

+ Understand macro trends’ impacts, consumer behaviors, and shopping patterns to advise on new item and flavor innovations, new programs, and other actionable recommendations to exceed customer expectations

+ Present clear and concise industry insights discovered in customer data platforms by effectively communicating with data storytelling and strategic rationale to internal and external stakeholders

+ Utilize consumer and shopper research (qualitative and quantitative) to validate assumptions and detect new opportunities

+ Translate category objectives into sales and share goals within the customer’s framework

+ Data Analysis & Insights

+ Using multiple data platforms, provide syndicated POS/retailer scan data (e.g., Circana/Nielsen) and consumer panel data to analyze trends, performance, consumer needs, and competitive landscape

+ Work with the customer team to identify opportunities for growth driven by the multiple data points available for the specific customer, as well as broader industry trends

+ Perform steady cadence of weekly/monthly/quarterly updates, including tracking of sales volume, pricing, share, ratings, and category reviews

+ Merchandising, Assortment & Shelf Management

+ Work with the internal category team to recommend assortment and modular (shelf planogram) optimizations based on shopper insights

+ Participate in customer reviews with internal team to bring shopper insights into the store-level execution discussion

+ Reporting & Scorecards

+ Build and maintain dashboards, scorecards, and cycle reporting to track performance vs. targets

+ Present regular business reviews/updates to internal leadership and customer counterparts

+ Support food safety program, quality standards, and legality of manufactured products

+ Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Competencies)

+ Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, economics, statistics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

+ 4-7 years of experience in category management, customer business, or retail analytics (with a major retailer focus preferred)

+ Prior experience in a customer category advisor role or other key customer-facing role preferred

+ Previous people management experience desired

+ Experience in food, perishables, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) environment preferred

+ Deep proficiency in data insights and consumer behavior tools with experience with syndicated data (POS/scan, panel)

+ Familiarity with space planning programs

+ Experience turning data into insights through impactful storytelling

+ Experience with consumer behavior/shopper research tools preferred

+ Ability to extract, manipulate, and interpret large data sets; advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling

+ Strong storytelling and presentation skills (PowerPoint, narrative development)

+ Experience with category management/shopper insights, assortment, modular planning

+ Analytical mindset with attention to detail and strong problem-solving ability

+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and influence cross-functional stakeholders

+ Comfortable working in ambiguity and with cross-functional teams

+ Ability to travel periodically (customer and internal meetings, trade shows, store visits)