Category Development Manager Natural Foods

The Category Development Manager plays a leading role in the strategic and operational execution of category management initiatives, driving the growth and profitability of Lotus Bakeries' brands by aligning category strategies with corporate objectives and market opportunities. Central to this role is the close collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and external retail partners to develop and implement category growth strategies. These strategies enhance shopper engagement, optimize in-store performance, and strengthen retailer relationships. This is achieved through the creation of compelling category growth stories, utilizing data sources such as Nielsen, and internal account-level insights to deliver actionable opportunities for growth across our retail channels.

Category Management Strategy:

• Act as key parner for sales teams, translating the national growth strategy into actionable customer/category plans across assortment, shelves and promotions.
• Define targets, track performance, and optimize execution to drive category and brand success 
• Develop strategic recommendations for product assortment, promotional plans, and in-store visibility to optimize shopper engagement and sales performance.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to ensure alignment of category strategies with brand strategies.

Business Insights & Analysis:

• Analyze multiple data sources, including syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen), retailer POS data, and internal sales metrics, to identify trends, consumer behaviors, and actionable opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights and regular performance updates, including market share, distribution, pricing, and promotional effectiveness, to inform strategic decision-making for internal stakeholders.
• Monitor and assess competitor strategies, market positioning, and emerging trends to make predictive recommendations and stay ahead of the market.
• Turn complex data sets into clear, impactful insights and stories to inform decision-making for internal stakeholders and retail partners.

Process Optimization & Reporting:

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of category strategies.
• Develop tools and processes to monitor performance and provide actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders.
• Utilize data and analytics to refine methodologies, ensure operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across category management initiatives.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years in Category management, Trade marketing, or a similar role in the CPG industry. Experience within other consumer focused industries with a focus on data analysis/inisghts is also valued.
• Proven experience with syndicated data tools such as Nielsen, IRI, and retailer-specific POS systems.
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong track record of driving category growth through data-driven insights and strategies.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Expertise in shopper behavior analysis and in-store marketing strategies.