The Category Insights Manager will play a key role in establishing and leading the category management function within our organization. This includes defining data needs, developing internal reporting systems, and integrating external data to inform business decisions. POS retail data, shopper / consumer insights, supply chain data will be used to create fact based selling stories focusing on creating value for various stakeholders.

The successful candidate will also lead the change management effort to integrate category management into the work of our sales managers, ensuring that our sales team is equipped to drive sales growth and increase market share for our grass-fed lamb, beef, and other meat products in the USA and Canada.

1. Establish the Category Management Function: Develop and implement a comprehensive category management strategy, including identifying key performance indicators, and establishing a data-driven approach to decision making. Analyze internal and external data to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges in the grass-fed lamb, beef, and other meat categories, and provide insights and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders to inform business decisions. This includes:
   • Category Definition - defining the category and its scope
   • Category Role - determining the role of the category in the store and its importance to the shopper
   • Category Assessment - analyzing the category's current performance and identifying opportunities for growth
   • Category Scorecard - developing a scorecard to measure category performance
   • Category Strategy - developing a category strategy to drive growth and improve profitability
   • Category Tactics - developing tactics to execute the category strategy
   • Category Implementation - implementing the category strategy and tactics
   • Category Review - reviewing and evaluating category performance and making adjustments as needed
2. Data Management: Work with our ERP and IT teams to develop internal reporting systems and integrate external data from syndicated data providers, such as Circana (formerly IRI), Nielsen, Datassential, Mintel, Numerator, and Promo-intel, to provide insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
3. Change Management: Lead the effort to integrate category management into the work of our sales managers, including developing training programs, creating category management tools and resources, and providing ongoing support and coaching to ensure successful adoption.
4. Customer specific recommendations: Provide recommendations on 5Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People) for major customers, including recommendations on:
   • Product assortment and new products to meet customer needs
   • Pricing strategies to drive sales and profitability
   • Managing distribution and merchandising to ensure product availability and visibility including shelf strategy within a retailer and creating base plan-o-grams or plan-o-guides.
   • Developing training and education programs for customer employees to ensure they are knowledgeable about our products and can effectively promote them to consumers
   • Promotional plans, including:
     • Digital promotions (e.g. social media, email marketing, online coupons, digital flyers)
     • In-store promotions (e.g. flyer, point-of-sale displays, demos, special events)
     • Couponing and rebate programs
     • Loyalty programs
     • Trade promotions (e.g. buy-one-get-one-free, discounts, buy-ups)
5. Collaboration and Communication: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including sales, marketing, and operations teams, as well as external partners, such as retailers and distributors, to ensure alignment and effective communication of category management strategies and initiatives.
6. Reporting: Design and implement internal reporting systems to track category performance, including sales, market share, and profitability. Use scorecards to measure and monitor performance over time. Produce monthly review presentations and discuss with sales managers. Provide ongoing support and coaching to sales managers to ensure successful adoption of category management practices.
7. Trade Materials: Liaise with North American Sales team and create marketing materials, such as selling sheets and customer presentation decks. Manage all Point of Sale (POS) materials and assets (online and offline), including e-com photography, shelf dividers, shelf danglers, and other display materials.

• Category management strategy is effective and meets the needs of the organization
• Robust internal reporting systems are in place and track category performance (sales, market share and profitability)
• Stakeholders are supported to make informed business decisions based on syndicated data
• Sales Managers are trained to integrate category management into their work
• Promotional plans drive sales and increase customer engagement related to digital promotions, in-store promotions, couponing and rebate programs, loyalty programs and trade promotions

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field
• 10+ years' experience in category management, preferably in the CPG / meat or protein industry
• Proficiency with retailer POS Data and experience working with external data providers' systems such as Circana (formerly IRI), Nielsen, Datassential, Mintel, Numerator, and Promo-intel
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the capacity to handle large amounts of data.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, and Word
• The ability to synthesize data from a range of sources into clear presentations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to analyze complex data sets and develop insights and recommendations
• Experience with data visualization tools, such as Tableau or Power BI, is an asset
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Must be proactive and performance-driven, with an action-oriented mindset and the ability to operate under pressure in a fast-paced atmosphere.
• Experience working with ERP systems and IT teams to develop internal reporting systems and integrate external data
• Strong understanding of the retail landscape and consumer trends in the USA and Canada
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
• Strong project management skills, with ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with change management and training development
• Knowledge of category management standards and best practices
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and operations
• Experience with promotional tools and technologies, such as couponing and rebate programs, loyalty programs, and trade promotions.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The Lamb Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.

The Lamb Company is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment. Accommodations are available on request for candidates throughout the selection process. Please contact Human Resources if accommodation is required.