Category Manager

Cameron Smith & Associates, Inc. provided pay range

This range is provided by Cameron Smith & Associates, Inc.. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$140,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

Annual Bonus

Direct message the job poster from Cameron Smith & Associates, Inc.

CPG Executive Search at Cameron Smith & Associates

Our client is seeking a strategic, data-driven Category Manager to support the Grocery & Natural sales channels. This role is responsible for enhancing analytical capabilities, providing insights that drive category performance, and supporting customer-facing initiatives that align with evolving consumer behaviors and business objectives.

The Category Manager will partner cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and operations to deliver actionable insights. This role plays a key part in strategic line reviews, assortment planning, shelf development, and delivering best-in-class retailer engagement strategies powered by syndicated and POS data.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and present category reviews, assortment recommendations, promotional evaluations, and sell-in materials tailored to key retail customers.
• Analyze syndicated and POS data (e.g., SPINS, Nielsen, IRI) to track performance and identify growth opportunities.
• Leverage consumer and shopper insights to inform strategy across physical and digital shelves.
• Collaborate closely with Sales and Marketing teams to develop customer-specific growth plans.
• Utilize planogram software and merchandising tools to create optimized shelf sets that reflect shopper behavior and category trends.
• Lead performance tracking via scorecarding and dashboarding; deliver ad hoc insights and reporting as needed.
• Support product lifecycle management through pricing, promotion, innovation, and assortment analysis.
• Build strong internal and external relationships to align on category initiatives and execution plans.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Sales Strategy, or related CPG functions.
• Strong experience with syndicated data tools (SPINS, Nielsen, IRI) and business intelligence platforms (Excel, Power BI, Tableau).
• Planogram experience preferred (e.g., JDA/Prospace).
• Strong storytelling and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex data into simple, persuasive insights.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and resourceful with strong attention to detail.

*This is a hybrid role in their Chicago, IL office Tuesday through Thursday weekly*

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Associate

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Sales, Strategy/Planning, and Research

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Cameron Smith & Associates, Inc. by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Category Manager” roles.

Sr Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising

Chicago, IL $130,000.00-$150,000.00 3 weeks ago

Greater Chicago Area $89,400.00-$111,800.00 2 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $92,000.00-$138,000.00 1 week ago

Greater Chicago Area $77,100.00-$96,300.00 2 weeks ago

Schaumburg, IL $55,000.00-$65,000.00 3 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $81,000.00-$118,000.00 1 week ago

Deerfield, IL $136,000.00-$231,300.00 3 days ago

Deerfield, IL $86,400.00-$138,200.00 4 days ago

Chicago, IL $140,000.00-$180,000.00 1 month ago

Category Manager, Software, Google Procurement

Chicago, IL $107,000.00-$153,000.00 6 days ago

Northbrook, IL $75,000.00-$85,000.00 2 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $87,020.00-$108,775.00 1 week ago

Chicago, IL $123,000.00-$173,000.00 1 week ago

Category Procurement Manager - Inbound Transportation

Chicago, IL $102,800.00-$164,400.00 1 week ago

Chicago, IL $115,000.00-$130,000.00 3 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $112,425.00-$157,395.00 2 weeks ago

Downers Grove, IL $80,000.00-$100,000.00 4 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $60,000.00-$70,000.00 1 month ago

Oak Brook, IL $74,700.00-$93,600.00 2 weeks ago

Chicago, IL $118,400.00-$148,000.00 1 week ago

Wheeling, IL $110,000.00-$110,000.00 2 months ago

Chicago, IL $118,400.00-$148,000.00 2 weeks ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.