Associate Manager, Category & Shopper Development

What We Offer:

Irving Consumer Products is proud to offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• A flexible medical, dental, and vision plan
• Employee & family assistance programs
• RRSP matching program
• Health & wellness reimbursements
• Product purchase program
• Opportunities to take part in job-related training and development
• Growth and progression opportunities within Irving Consumer Products and the larger network of the J.D. Irving group of companies
• Relocation costs (if applicable)
• Hybrid flexible work options (if applicable)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum 2 years of Category Management, Sales, or Trade Marketing experience
• Consumer Packaged Goods experience is preferred
• Strong technical skills (i.e. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Tableau, JDA)
• Highly proficient in Nielsen and other syndicated services
• Knowledge of retailer data platforms a plus (i.e. LDIA, Circana)
• 5P solutions development experience for bricks and mortar and online
• Ability to apply critical thinking to support, develop, and implement comprehensive strategic business plans that will deliver results
• Ability to understand, interpret, and synthesize syndicated data and custom research
• Storyboarding and presentation development skills

Responsibilities:

• Manage category leadership functions for assigned customers: Understands the retailer’s objectives, strategies, and most valuable shopper
• Supports the development and delivery of insight-led customer presentations
• Present strategic and tactical recommendations on the 5Ps to improve category and brand performance
• Develop and implement strategic category management initiatives which deliver tangible wins
• Supports with joint business planning (JBP) analytics, as requested
• Supports customer team with RGM analysis and pricing/promotion recommendations
• Provide customer-specific analysis to support marketing and shopper marketing

Category and shopper analysis:

• Supports the development of brand and category analytics for the customer team
• Generates value-add analytics and insights utilizing customer data, syndicated data, and other research
• Identifies business growth opportunities, including RGM strategies
• Develops insight-led responses to competitive actions to achieve favorable outcomes
• Provides key reports and analytics on customer-specific new items, pricing, and other areas as needed

CLP & 5P best practices deployment:

• Understands a customer's 5P strategy by format for bricks and mortar and online, and how to influence category and brand decisions
• Achieves brand plan, playbook principles, and market share objectives at the customer utilizing insights, market data, and customer data
• Customizes CLP and 5P playbook to the customer and their shopper target
• Manages 5P tactic mix to improve profitability and achieve financial targets
• Supports category management planning utilizing best-in-class practices, retailer guidelines, and requirements

Strategic Account Planning:

• Supports strategic account planning process with CSD/Sales Leads, identifying customer growth objectives and business solutions
• Develops assortment, merchandising, pricing, promotion tactics, and plan recommendations
• Assists new item plans from a retailer perspective