Job Summary:

The Category Insights Manager is a detail-oriented and analytically minded role that supports a 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.