Category Insights Manager

Job Summary:

The Category Insights Manager is a detail-oriented and analytically minded role that supports the dedicated client at Kroger. This position is responsible for data analysis and storytelling that drives category management strategies and tactics, ensuring optimal performance for the client’s portfolio.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Client Relationship Management
• Data Analysis and Insight Generation
• Strategic Planning and Execution
• Reporting and Communication

Core Functions:

Client Relationship Management

• Develop and nurture strong business relationships with Kroger’s client's team to establish Empire Marketing Strategies as a key partner in category management
• Act as the primary contact for all category management needs.

Data Analysis and Insight Generation

• Serve as the omnichannel subject matter expert, mastering applicable POS and customer loyalty card data.
• Ability to utilize the following systems: Business Objects (BzO), 84.51° OnDemand, Stratum, and Power Query/Power BI, and others, to create comprehensive analytics.
• Analyze and synthesize data to identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps related to distribution, assortment mix, shelving, placement, and other key metrics.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Involve in the development and execution of online and offline assortment/merchandising optimization, new product introductions, seasonal programs, and pricing/promotional planning.
• Employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to translate insights into actionable retail strategies.

Reporting and Communication

• Provide ad-hoc category management reporting, trend analysis, and customized reports to internal leaders as needed
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively through verbal, written, and presentation formats

Other Duties

• Respond in a timely manner to internal and external correspondence via email and phone.
• Perform high level Excel spreadsheet functions including: VLOOKUP’s, Indexes, Create and Modify Pivot Tables, Data manipulation, creating data tables and charts, filtering data lists, templates and importing and exporting data.
• Ad hoc reporting as required.
• Provide administrative and analytical support.
• Perform data entry
• Create and maintain complex spreadsheets.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Management, Accounting, Data Analytics, or equivalent experience required. CPCM (Certified Professional Category Manager) and/or a master’s degree.] preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in consumer goods, retail, or syndicated data with a focus on category management, sales, business analytics, and/or shopper insights.
• Extensive experience with syndicated data, customer card/POS data, and panel data, with proficiency in tools such as Circana, Nielsen, 84.51, Numerator, dunnhumby, SPINS, Spectra/demographics.
• Experience in sales and/or analytical sales support, with a focus on face-to-face engagement with Kroger preferred.
• Experience managing relationships with third-party agencies, brokers, and data/insight providers preferred
• Familiarity with the Cheese category preferred.
• Additional analytical competencies (e.g., Symphony Retail AI/EYC, Tableau, Microsoft Access, Blue Yonder, SQL, VBA) preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Business Objects (BzO), 84.51° OnDemand, Stratum, and Power Query/Power BI
• Ability to distill complex data into simple, actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships across functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Exceptional communication skills – verbal, written, and presentation.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Tools and Equipment:

• Regular operation of a personal motor vehicle, to and from work sites.
• MS Excel, Outlook, & Kroger systems (Tradepoint,1WS, VIP)
• Circana, Nielsen, 84.51, Numerator, dunnhumby, SPINS, Spectra/demographics

Work Environment:

• Duties are typically performed in an indoor, office environment.
• Noise levels – typically low to moderate.