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MUSH

Category Manager

MUSH, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

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MUSH is a people-first food company on a mission to fuel humanity with positive energy. We believe that food's first job is to nourish us, and public health is a public good. If you aspire to make the world a little healthier and want to build a reputation of doing hard things well, MUSH may be a great place for you.

Our first product line of ready-to-eat overnight oats pioneers a new category for the breakfast occasion, offering a superior value proposition compared to traditional morning meals. In just five years, we've expanded from weekend farmers markets to over 14,000 retail doors nationwide. MUSH is one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the country, and this explosive growth requires a high performer for our world‑class Sales Team.

Role Description The Category Manager will play a crucial role in supporting sales growth and developing effective go‑to‑market strategies across various channels and retailers. This person will synthesize multiple data streams to provide powerful performance, category, competitive, consumer, shopper behaviour, and macroeconomic insights. Data tools include syndicated scan data (SPINS, IRI Circana, Nielsen, 84.51), shopper panel (84.51, Numerator), primary and secondary research, and industry publications. This person will also deliver strategic recommendations internally across Sales, Marketing, and Leadership with the potential to upscale to be included in key customer meetings.

Role Responsibilities Category Management & Shopper Insights

Partner with the cross‑functional peers in Sales and Marketing teams to further develop MUSH’s sell‑in story, turning data into key actionable insights

Create category and shopper centric presentations founded in research and analysis, delivering on key customer’s objectives

Lead and present category reviews internally and potentially externally with key customers

Leverage category and shopper insights to make shelf recommendations that improve the shopper experience of the Overnight Oats and Refrigerated Protein Bar segments

Own Budget and Relationship Management with External Data Providers

Strategy Development

Work cross-functionally to develop AMPS (Assortment, Merchandising, Pricing and Shelving) gold standards and execution scorecards.

Partner with Sales to identify AMPS opportunities across retailers and channels and track execution with the team

Work with the Shopper and Brand teams to identify main shopper profiles and occasions within channels and retailers to inform growth strategies.

Develop best‑in‑class planogram and space recommendations leveraging scan data, shelf capacity, panel metrics, and shopper behaviour to help inform retailer strategy.

Leverage performance data to support AOP and long‑term planning inputs across channels, doors, assortment, and velocity.

Partner with Marketing and R&D as needed to support innovation planning.

Executive Business Review and Project Support

Develop executive summaries monthly of how the brand is performing in the market, highlighting key drivers and diagnosing issues

Partner with leadership team to support Quarterly Board Meetings

Qualifications

3‑5 years of experience in Category Management and analytics

Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into actionable insights

Storytelling skills using multiple sources such as primary/secondary research, loyalty card, shopper panel, and syndicated point of sale data (IRI/Nielsen)

Advanced MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) skills, including pivot tables, slicers, and formulas to automate and contribute to reporting

Space planning experience is a plus

Proven strengths in key competencies:

Enthusiasm

Flexibility/Adaptability

Proactivity

Follow‑through & Follow Up

Organization & Planning

Attention to Detail

Problem‑Solving & Critical Thinking

Communication & Listening

Teamwork

Alignment of Values

Learning. We are always learning and seeking to improve ourselves and the world around us. We are curious about possibilities and act to explore them.

Innovation. We look for new ideas from everywhere and accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.

Taking Action. We have a strong bias for action and value calculated risk‑taking.

Being Resourceful. We accomplish more with less. We are frugal and believe that constraints breed creativity.

Demanding Excellence. We have exceedingly high standards that most think are unreasonable. We demand excellence from ourselves and our partners who help us succeed regularly.

Creating Win‑Win Relationships. We strive to create win‑win relationships with all of our major stakeholders - our customers, suppliers, employees, owners, regulators, and the communities in which we operate.

Compensation

Compensation estimates are provided in good faith at the time of job posting. Job Offers may vary based on the Candidate’s education, certifications, job‑related knowledge, skill, and experience. MUSH may pay more or less than the posted range. The range may be modified in the future.

Salary range: $110,000‑$130,000 + annual bonus potential. Bonus payments are contingent upon the Company and the individual achieving performance goals.

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

401K plan including 4% match

Unlimited PTO

9 Holidays

Unlimited MUSH in office

Company swag

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