Director of Category Management

The Director of Category Management leads the development and execution of category plans for assigned product categories, translating company objectives into actionable recommendations that support category growth and profitability. This role manages category managers and partners with sales, marketing, Revenue Growth Management, supply chain, and product development to improve assortment, pricing and promotion recommendations, and shelf execution. The Director uses consumer and shopper insights, market trends, competitive intelligence, and retailer data to identify opportunities, guide customer-facing category work, and monitor results.

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and execute plans for assigned categories within company strategy, integrating recommendations for assortment, pricing, promotions, distribution, and shelf placement (space quality and quantity).
• Market Analysis & Insights: Guide category managers in using syndicated data (e.g., Circana), consumer research, shopper insights, and competitive intelligence to assess market size, growth drivers, priority segments, purchase drivers, usage occasions, and unmet needs. Evaluate competitors' share, pricing, promotions, and offerings, translating findings into category recommendations and customer presentations.
• Retailer Collaboration: Manage category relationships with assigned retail partners, supporting joint business planning, leading category reviews, and recommending assortment, shelf, and promotional improvements that support mutual growth.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage, coach, and develop category managers. Set work priorities and clear deliverables, identify skill gaps, and provide training in category management, data analysis, space planning, and customer presentations.
• Pricing & Promotion Strategy: In collaboration with Revenue Growth Management, develop data-driven pricing and promotional recommendations, support execution of approved plans, and evaluate results to improve profitability and competitive positioning.
• Assortment & Distribution Optimization: Evaluate product performance, profitability, consumer demand, distribution gaps, and channel performance. Recommend assortment additions, renovations, discontinuations, and distribution opportunities to the appropriate decision-makers. Partner with sales and retail teams to implement approved changes and monitor results.
• Shelf Space Management: Lead the development of shelf space and product placement recommendations that improve visibility and category performance. Coordinate space planning work and support retailer implementation.
• Forecasting & Planning: Provide category trends, promotional insights, and assortment assumptions to sales and supply chain to support sales forecasts and product availability. Flag material changes in demand and emerging risks.
• Budget Management: Manage the assigned category management budget within approved limits, prioritize resources against agreed initiatives, and escalate additional resource needs or spending variances.
• Performance Monitoring & Risk Assessment: Track category KPIs and initiative results, assess potential market changes and risks, and recommend corrective actions or contingency responses.

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in category management within the CPG industry, including at least 3 years managing teams or leading category initiatives.
• Strong working knowledge of category management principles, practices, and methodologies, with demonstrated ability to translate strategy into category and customer plans.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen, Circana) and other market research tools.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with retail partners.
• Demonstrated people management and coaching skills, with experience setting priorities, developing team capabilities, and delivering category initiatives.