Category Manager

Manager/Sr. Manager, Customer Category Leadership - Shelf Excellence The Manager/Sr. Manager, Customer Category Leadership– Shelf Excellence serves as Danone’s subject‑matter expert in shelf excellence, space planning, shelf analytics, and shelving strategy. The role partners closely with Customer Category Leadership teams to translate category, shopper, and shelf insights into recommendations that drive category growth and improve shelf performance. This position is open to remote or hybrid work. Primary Responsibilities Space Planning & Shelf Strategy: Lead development of customer‑specific shelving recommendations and planograms across categories and channels. Apply shopper, category, and performance insights to optimize assortment, space allocation, and category flow. Serve as Danone’s subject‑matter expert on shelving principles, category flow, and space management. Develop innovative shelf solutions that support category growth and improve shopper navigation. Shelf Analytics & Opportunity Identification: Leverage Storesight and other shelf analytics tools to identify share‑of‑shelf opportunities, execution gaps, and more. Monitor shelf conditions and proactively surface risks and opportunities to Customer Category Leadership teams. Translate shelf analytics into actionable recommendations that drive category growth. Measure and track shelf performance over time. Strategic Partnership & Prioritization: Partner with Customer Category Leadership teams to identify shelf‑related opportunities and support customer engagement. Prioritize work across customers, categories, and strategic initiatives. Balance reactive customer needs with proactive opportunity identification. Influence internal stakeholders through data‑driven recommendations and thought leadership. Skills Strong space planning and merchandising expertise. Ability to translate complex data into clear business recommendations. Strong communication and storytelling skills. Consultative mindset with the ability to influence without authority. Strong prioritization and project management capabilities. Agile and adaptable across customers, categories, and business needs. Curious, proactive, and passionate about shelf optimization. About You Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Analytics, or related field. 5+ years of CPG experience in Category Management, Space Planning, Category Leadership, or related functions. Expert in JDA/Blue Yonder or Apollo space planning software. Experience with ShelfIQ, Storesight, Mission Control, or comparable shelf analytics platforms. Strong understanding of syndicated data, shopper insights, and category management principles. Experience translating insights into customer‑facing recommendations. Experience leading projects and influencing cross‑functional teams. Digital shelf knowledge preferred, but not required. Occasional travel required. Salary and Benefits Salary range: $120,000 – $175,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, 401(k) plan, wellness program, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off, and paid parental bonding leave. Danone offers a performance‑based bonus and a strong benefits package. Equal Opportunity Employer Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr