Job Information
Advantage Solutions Category Manager (Hybrid) in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary
Category Manager with jlb (HYBRID)
jlb is an award-winning, retail consulting firm that is passionate about helping brands succeed. Over the past 35+ years, we’ve helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands at Target, including Method, Harry’s and Olly, and hundreds more like them.
We offer Sales and Strategy, Business Insights, Consumer Research, Category Management, Digital Services, Trend, Creative, and Retail Service, delivering a customized approach based on the unique needs of each client. Our collaborative team of 120+ passionate employees come from a variety of backgrounds including emerging brands, large CPGs, and mass and specialty retailers.
We work in a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), which means you don’t have to choose between your life and your work. We’re clear about what results we expect, and you determine how to deliver. We are a strengths-based organization and value each person’s unique contribution. We value diversity and have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee that was built to create a more informed and inclusive environment by educating our team, strengthening our partnerships, and serving our community.
We work hard and we play hard. Our office is a lively environment that was built for collaboration. We offer perks like competitive benefits, 401k, flexibility AND an amazing culture and team. Sound fun? It is! Come join us!
The Team:
The JLB Insights & Intelligence provides a high-level partnership to drive Target’s strategic initiatives at an enterprise level, both in store and digitally and aligns with Target’s expectations. Our approach to Category Management provides merchants with elevated analytics and actionable recommendations that lead to category growth.
The Role:
We are looking for our next Category Manager. The ideal candidate is a go-getter with a passion for turning data and insights into action. You get excited deep diving into the business and market, building strong relationships and implementing comprehensive growth strategies with your Target Merchants and Clients. You provide top-tier customer service by showcasing both your strategic way of thinking, and also your strength in execution. An ideal candidate would have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in category management and/or Target buying.
What you’ll do:
Be a strategic thought-partner to your merchant business units, helping to set and lead the strategic direction for your category at Target (both in-store and .com)
Deliver merchandising and category assortment planning recommendations
Utilize multiple data sources to identify actionable insights to drive business results
Generating weekly and monthly reports analyzing sales performance and providing actionable insights
Drive Target’s transition process from POG room management through POG execution, utilizing using the JDA software multiple times a year
Provide marketplace analytics, insights and opportunities
Collaborate with cross-functional partners at Target, vendor partners and within JLB
What you’ll bring:
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, merchandising, financial analysis or other relevant field
4+ years of relevant experience (Category Management, Target Buying, Merchandising Planning, Space Management)
Experience in Category Management Tools (JDA, Market Data, POS and Panel Data, etc.)
Strong analytical, problem-solving and story-telling skills
Committed to delivering proactive, actionable insights and recommendations that drive results
Organizational wizard with great attention to detail
A+ Communication Skills: written, verbal, follow up, presentation and follow-through
Ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously and work in a fast-paced environment
Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interface with multiple levels of an organization and collaborate with cross-functional team members
An entrepreneurial spirit and self-starter mentality
Positive attitude, creative resourcefulness and a team-player
A passion for retail and a love of Target
Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
Bonus Points for:
Experience in digital pos and digital market share data, SEO, digital analytics, content management & site experience
Experience building Planograms for Target
Direct Target Experience
Previous involvement with large brands and retailers, skillfully influencing buying decisions
Seniority Level: Mid-level Category Manager (Manager Level)
Industry: Category Management, Sales, Retail
Job Will Remain Open Until Filled
Responsibilities
The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Job Duty
Project/Client Management and Support
• Proactively develop business growth opportunities from data analysis and present these to ASM sales team and business partners
• Manage project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems
• Prioritize major business opportunities across client(s) categories by alignment of the goals with the Client, Customer and Company
• Manage, build and maintain strategic and collaborative relationships at Customer and Client level that will lead to recognition of ASM as the go-to strategic partner for category and shopper insights
Presentation Delivery
• Communicate business opportunities and recommend action plan to the Sales Team and/or client/customer’s senior management team
• Assume the Lead Role as part of the Sales Team in presenting insights, strategies and tactics to business partners
Presentation Development
• Develop and recommend strategic direction based off collaboration with senior client management teams
• Review and provide recommendations for improvement to presentations prepared by Category Managers
Data Analysis/Interpretation/Application
• Determine and quantify primary business opportunities and key drivers through data analysis and industry expertise
• Leverage data for advanced assortment and shelving solutions
• Critically assess assortment efficiencies and provide recommendations that maximize category performance
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Reports
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports
Indirect Reports
- Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports
Travel and/or Driving Requirements
Travel is an essential duty and function of this job. Driving is not an essential duty or function of this job.
Travel up to 15 %
Minimum Qualifications The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job
Education Level: (Required) Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
(Preferred) MBA Degree or equivalent experience
Field of Study/Area of Experience:
4-6 years of experience in applicable field (sales and marketing agency or CPG industry solution provider, retailer, or manufacturer)
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• Strong functional knowledge of Category Management
• Develop, build and maintain business relationships and demonstrate direct involvement with the client’s business
• Ability to present “Top to Top” presentations in a knowledgeable and confident manner in both planned and impromptu situations
• Demonstrated ability to use pertinent information and data to generate sales revenue
• Significant experience preparing and presenting final work product to customer/client
• Retailer shopper segmentation
• Advanced shopper behavior research and understanding
• Advanced knowledge of syndicated data and applications
• Negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups
• Displays the ability to achieve desired results through others with positive, energetic and enthusiastic communication
• Train, delegate, coach, motivate and follow up on staff to achieve desired results
• Forecasts, sets objectives, anticipates, structures tasks, and establishes priorities
• Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals; breaks down work into the process steps; develops schedules and task/people assignments; anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; measures performance against goals; evaluates results
• Articulate ethical expectations and understand legal regulations within category management to maintain compliance in regards to pricing, antitrust laws, etc.
• Interact and communicate professionally with all levels
• Demonstrates commitment to meeting or exceeding customer expectations, effectively solicits and responds to the needs of the customer both external and internal
• Works cooperatively with others toward common group objectives, demonstrates respect for the ideas and contributions of other team members, cultivates positive relationships with other associates, and provides assistance and support to others
• Advanced PC skills with proficiency in spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software
• Familiarity with Planogram software and creating planograms desired
Environmental & Physical Requirements
Office / Sedentary Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
Additional Information Regarding ASM Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. ASM reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. ASM shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Important Information
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.
The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Job Locations US-MN-Minneapolis
Primary Posting Location : City Minneapolis
Primary Posting Location : State/Province MN
Primary Posting Location : Postal Code 55401
Primary Posting Location : Country US
Requisition ID 2024-432594
Position Type Full Time
Category Category Management, Insights and Planning
Minimum USD $100,000.00/Yr.
Maximum USD $120,000.00/Yr.