Sr Category Manager

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It's a journey we share with you. It's the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World's #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link's Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link's Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link's, Lorissa's Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Senior Category Manager will spearhead customer-focused growth initiatives, utilizing a data-driven strategy that includes market trend analysis, category performance evaluation, assortment optimization, and planogram development. This position reports to the Director of Category Management and is responsible for the leadership of a Category Management team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across multiple departments, including sales and marketing, to ensure that our category strategies align with business goals, customer needs, and market trends.
• Build comprehensive knowledge of the products, attributes, strategies, tactics, and competitive trends in the marketplace for the Meat Snacks category both in store and online.
• Oversee development and execution of in store and online assortment/merchandising optimization, new product introductions, and pricing/promotional planning/evaluation.
• Develop, optimize and maintain planograms for shopability, space to sales, and capacity utilizing JDA Space Planning and other applicable tools and research.
• Develop and communicate complex information and implications both verbally, in interactions with senior customer leaders, and in written presentations, utilizing "storytelling techniques" to communicate a clear, compelling, and cohesive shopper story.
• Utilize experience in analytics, insights, and storytelling to convey actionable insights.
• Lead, coach, engage and professionally develop team members with a focus on developing functional, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Keeps abreast of developments and best practices in Category Management, pursue the knowledge needed to improve departmental capabilities and professional agility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Management, Data Analytics or related field or equivalent
• 5+ years of category management experience (Category Captain experience preferred)
• Advanced experience with Modular Planning, Development via JDA Space Planning
• Advanced experience Excel and PowerPoint. Power BI experience preferred.
• Experience with industry resources (e.g., Circana or NielsenIQ, 8451, Mintel, Kantar, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to build indispensable, collaborative partnerships with retail customers and internal business partners across functional teams.
• Strong story telling experience converting data into insights.
• Excellent leadership, creative problem solving, and project management skills.
• Exceptional communication skills – verbal, written & presentation.
• Strong planning/organizing skills; the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of retail merchandising and in store execution tactics.

The salary range for this role is $125 ,000 – $150,000(Annually).  Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link's Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link's provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link's provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link's is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit: 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.