Category Manager

As a Category Manager at Shearer's, your key responsibilities will revolve around being the expert in the Salty Snacks, Cookies, and Crackers categories. You will analyze data from various sources to extract valuable insights, drive category growth, and make informed recommendations to stakeholders, particularly within Walmart and Sam’s Club. Your role will also include generating routine reports, influencing product assortments, and collaborating with internal teams to develop effective strategies focused on shopper-centricity.

To step into the role of Category Manager at Shearer's, a Bachelor’s Degree in business, marketing, or a related field is required, along with 3+ years of experience in category management or shopper insights, particularly within consumer goods. Familiarity with syndicated data tools, strong analytical abilities, and excellent communication skills will greatly enhance your qualifications for this position.

In the Category Manager role at Shearer's, you'll have direct interactions with Walmart and Sam’s Club, serving as the key point of contact for category insights and recommendations. Your expertise will guide the decision-makers at these major retailers, helping to inform them about category growth strategies, shopper insights, and optimal product assortments.

Success as a Category Manager at Shearer's hinges on several key skills, including advanced analytical skills, the ability to derive insights from complex data, effective communication and presentation skills, and strategic thinking. Additionally, your ability to build sustainable relationships with cross-functional teams and external customers will be vital in driving category growth.

Shearer's offers a comprehensive range of benefits for its Category Managers, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan with matching contributions, short and long-term disability coverage, and various life insurance options. Employees also enjoy the opportunity to engage in community volunteer work, reinforcing Shearer's commitment to an inclusive workplace.

In preparing to answer this question, focus on outlining your past roles in category management, emphasizing any experiences that involved data analysis, working with major retailers, and leveraging analytics to support business decisions. Be specific about the tools you've used and the results you've achieved.

Be prepared to discuss analytical tools you're familiar with, such as Nielsen, IRI, or any other syndicated data platforms. Share examples of how you've used these tools to generate insights that influenced category strategies, showcasing your technical proficiency.

Discuss your strategic approach by mentioning the importance of market research, analyzing consumer trends, and leveraging data insights. You can also highlight the importance of understanding competitors and collaborating with sales teams to identify product gaps or enhancements.

Highlight a specific scenario where your insights led to a significant decision by showcasing your data-driven approach. Emphasize your communication style and how you presented your recommendations to key decision-makers effectively.

Talk about your habit of regularly engaging with industry publications, attending relevant conferences, and utilizing data analytics tools to keep up with emerging trends. Mention how this knowledge informs your category strategies and decision-making.

Explain your organizational skills and methodology for prioritization, such as using project management tools or frameworks. Illustrate your ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising on the quality of your insights.

Frame your response to highlight the role of shopper insights in influencing category decisions. Share examples of how understanding shopper behavior has led to successful strategies in past positions.

Provide examples of when you had to present data to various stakeholders, detailing the process of creating impactful presentations tailored to your audience. Explain how you used visuals and narrative styles to enhance understanding and engagement.

Discuss how collaboration with cross-functional teams has been essential in your roles. Share instances when teamwork led to successful outcomes and emphasize the importance of building relationships within and outside the organization.

Prepare to talk about your conflict-resolution skills and how you approach constructive discussions. Emphasize the importance of relying on data-driven arguments and maintaining professionalism while seeking a collaborative solution.