Job Description

Summary:
Category Manager - Canada


At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking a dynamic Category Manager who will be responsible for deriving business insights and actionable recommendations for their assigned client base through the analysis and integration of sales tracking and consumer/shopper data sources.

Take this opportunity to join North America?s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!
What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Health, Dental, Disability, Life, Lifeworks Program)
• PerkSpot Discounts on Travel, Movies, Cell Phones and more
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

• Support Client?s shopper insights managers who are leading custom market research projects, working to synthesize insights and establishing compelling means of disseminating findings to relevant teams throughout the Client?s organization.
• Ad-hoc data pulls and queries from Client?s proprietary syndicated data tracking tool-to inform category stories and strategies at customers, monitor shopper responses to customer tactics, answer customer specific questions, track the success of innovation launches, fill Nielsen data gaps to broaden understanding of the retail landscape.
• Development of ?Basic Training? reports as directed by each Client manager (e.g. succinct decks to inform the organization on relevant topics of broad interest such as shopper groups, retailer activity, etc.).
• Work with other relevant databases, as appropriate -shopper loyalty card data, syndicated data, specialized databases (e.g. Amazon database for the online position).

Qualifications:

• BA/BS Degree in Marketing/Social Sciences or equivalent work experience required; Advanced degree preferred but not required
• Minimum of 2+ years of increasing market research experience with a proficiency in project management
• Technical experience with consumer panels and/or shopper loyalty card databases is beneficial
• Prior experience with ?retailer? orientation and/or field sales team a strong plus
• Superior knowledge and application of software packages such as PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong written communications and compelling presentation skill

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.
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.


Position Summary:


The Category Manager is responsible for deriving business insights and actionable recommendations for their assigned client base through the analysis and integration of sales tracking and consumer/shopper data sources.


Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Presentation Development

• Finalize all data and organize sales story for presentation to Clients, Customers and/or Customer Development Manager by developing business insights that are actionable

Project/Client Management and Support

• Proactively develop business growth opportunities from data analysis and present these to the Company sales team and business partners Maintain project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems Manage and maintain ongoing relationship for category management activities. Develop Category Management relationships at customers that establish Company Category Management Team as the go-to resource for Category Management insights and business process Best Practices.

Data Analysis/Interpretation/Application

• Determine and quantify primary business opportunities and key drivers by analyzing data and provide recommendations for business improvement/growth Support key business opportunities by recommending solutions based on applicable data Define major business opportunities by prioritizing information to support the goals of our Clients, Customers, and Company
• Data Collection Provide information for Clients, Customers, and Business Development Managers through the use of syndicated or customer-specific data sources Meet specific needs of requesting party by determining appropriate data selection and custom assortment

Presentation Delivery

• For assigned clients, communicate business opportunities and recommend action plans by working with Clients, Customers, Client Directors and/or Customer Development Managers Assume the Lead Role as part of the Sales Team in presenting insights, strategies and tactics to business partners

Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications


Education Level: (Required): University Degree / Diploma or equivalent job-related experience


Experience:
2+ years of work experience in applicable field (i.e. Category Manager / Analyst at a CPG Manufacturer, Retailer, or related Agency)


Skills & Competencies:

• Strong functional knowledge of Category Management principles and analytics
• Advanced knowledge of syndicated data (MarketTrack, Homescan) and related applications (Nitro, WorkstationPlus, and/or Answers Desktop)
• Experience working with Retailer POS data (LCL, Wal-Mart, etc.)
• Strong sales presentation and development skills - Advanced analytical skills and techniques

Project management experience:

• Ability to understand and interpret data, draw conclusions in order to solve business issues, make recommendations, and defend position if challenged
• Understand legal regulations within category management to maintain compliance in regards to pricing, competition laws, etc.
• Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals; breaks down work into the process steps; anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks
• 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

Tools/Software:

• Advanced PC skills with proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Experience using syndicated programs (Nielsen, etc.)
• Familiarity with creating Planograms and using related software is highly beneficial

Other Requirements:

• Strong understanding and utilization of proper safety techniques and correct use of equipment when appropriate.
• Executes verbal and written business communications, in a manner that effectively achieves business objectives, reflects the Company?s commitment to integrity, and is in keeping with Company policies

Supervisor Support or Other Lead Responsibilities:


Does not have direct reports, but manages and integrates multiple functions within a single business area - May monitor and delegate work of others in absence of team supervisor


Driving Requirements:


May be required on an occasional basis in order to attend client meetings or customer presentations


Travel Requirements:


May be required on an occasional basis in order to attend client meetings or customer presentations

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 The Company Job Duties and s


The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to race, nation or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and childbearing), sexual orientation, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability or pardoned criminal convictions, or any other category protected by law.

The above 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. The Company 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. The Company 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.

Employee understands that neither the provision of the nor any representation in this document creates a guarantee or contract of employment for any specified period of time or changes the nature of Employee?s employment, which can only be modified in a writing signed by the CEO. 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.


The Company welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations, accessible formats and communication supports upon request to persons with disabilities who take part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact: Recruiter, Talent Acquisition, for external applicants, or, a Supervisor for internal applicants