Senior Category Manager

At Idahoan Foods, we bring people and families together by providing high quality, convenient food that delights and nourishes lives. As a top 20 household penetration CPG brand, when you join our table, you’re joining a team that aims high and values collaboration, continuous improvement, sustainable sourcing and innovation, active engagement in the community, and doing the right thing. We understand that it’s our team members that serve as the foundation of our ambitious future and we’re committed to knowing you, growing you, and celebrating you. Job Purpose This role is not about maintaining reports - it’s about shaping category decisions with customers. The Senior Category Manager is responsible for driving category growth by translating data, shopper insights, and customer dynamics into clear, actionable recommendations across assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotion. This individual operates as a trusted advisor to both customers and internal Sales leadership, influencing decisions that impact distribution, shelf, and category performance. Success in this role requires someone who is inherently curious, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity, someone who does not wait to be asked for answers, but instead identifies the key questions, connects disparate data sources, and brings forward insights that move the business. Main Responsibilities Customer & Category Leadership: Lead category strategy and execution across assigned customers and channels Serve as the category expert in line reviews, Joint Business Planning (JBP), and customer engagements Influence retailer decisions across: Assortment & SKU rationalization, shelf space, planograms, and merchandising, price‑pack architecture and in‑market execution Build and deliver compelling, insight‑led category stories that strengthen retailer partnerships Insight Generation & Proactive Analysis: Proactively identify the key business questions that need to be answered, not just the ones being asked Integrate multiple data sources (syndicated, retailer, internal) to develop a holistic view of category performance Identify risks and growth opportunities based on shopper behavior, velocity, and competitive dynamics Translate analysis into clear “What / So What / Now What” recommendations Assortment, Space & Shelving Optimization: Develop data‑driven assortment recommendations grounded in productivity and shopper behavior Support planogram development and shelf optimization initiatives Identify opportunities to improve category efficiency, navigation, and conversion Partner with Sales Strategy and RGM to provide category‑informed perspectives on: Promotional effectiveness and lift, price ladder execution and pack architecture, post‑event insights and optimization opportunities Ensure recommendations are grounded in ROI and productivity, without direct ownership of trade spend Identify category white space and emerging shopper needs Support new item sell‑in with insight‑driven recommendations Provide early reads on innovation performance and inform go‑forward strategy Sales Enablement & Thought Leadership: Elevate the quality of category storytelling across the organization Equip Sales teams and brokers with clear, actionable insights Set the standard for executive‑ready, insight‑driven communication Mentor and develop junior team members as applicable What Success Looks Like: You are viewed as a go‑to category expert by both customers and Sales leaders Your insights directly influence distribution, shelving, and category decisions You consistently bring forward new, proactive insights—not just answers to requests Category recommendations are clear, actionable, and tied to measurable outcomes Retailer credibility and partnership strength improve over time… Qualifications / Required Skills Bachelor’s degree (Business, Marketing, Analytics, or related field) 7–10 years of experience in Category Management, Sales Strategy, or Commercial Insights within CPG Strong proficiency in syndicated and retailer data sources, including deep experience with Circana/Nielsen and Walmart Scintilla, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable category insights Demonstrated ability to influence customers and cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills Experience supporting major grocery, mass, club, or omni‑channel retailers Exposure to Revenue Growth Management (RGM) and trade analytics Core Competencies Intellectual Curiosity & Proactive Mindset – naturally asks “why,” seeks out answers, and uncovers insights without being prompted Ownership Mentality – takes initiative, drives clarity, and moves work forward in ambiguous situations Analytical Rigor – connects data to business decisions with strong critical thinking Storytelling & Communication – simplifies complex insights into clear, compelling narratives Customer Orientation – understands retailer dynamics and builds credibility through value‑added insights Collaboration – works seamlessly across Sales, Insights, RGM, and Marketing Drive for Results – focused on outcomes, not just analysis Owns customer‑level category strategy and execution Influences (but does not own): Trade spend and TPM decisions, enterprise pricing and pack architecture, demand planning and forecast ownership Other Details This position is a hybrid environment with moderate noise levels and requires sitting at a desk for extended periods and walking from point to point. The employee must be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs. while traveling. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimal travel estimated. Alignment with Core Values of the Company Respect & Value Our People Stay in Front of Change While Reducing Costs Delight Our Customers Food Quality & Safety Benefits Annual Compensation Range: $104,500 to $130,000 Annual Bonus Potential Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance for full‑time team members PTO (Vacation, Sick, and Holidays) for full‑time team members 401K match Company paid disability and life insurance policies Paid maternity and parental leave Approach to Flexible Work The majority of our roles are primarily located in one of our manufacturing facilities or in our corporate office in Idaho Falls, Idaho, offering us the ability to effectively collaborate, innovate, and develop the next leaders of Idahoan Foods. While we want to capitalize on purposeful in‑person days, we also value flexibility and appreciate that it can mean something different to everyone based on your unique circumstances. That’s why at Idahoan we focus on meaningful conversations between you and your manager to identify what works best for the business, team, your role, and your personal needs. Within our manufacturing workforce, we follow our process for time off requests and working within our attendance policy. Those same elements apply outside of manufacturing, but your position may offer some additional flexibility to work remotely at times. Equal Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non‑merit‑based factors. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Idahoan Foods, LLC