Category Manager

Category Manager The Category Manager is a growth driver for Crystal Farms. This role turns data into clear, compelling stories that unlock revenue growth for our brands and our customers. You will synthesize multiple data sources - syndicated data, customer insights, performance reporting, and market trends - to shape go-to-market strategy, influence customers, and guide internal decision-making across sales, marketing, and IBP. If you enjoy connecting the dots, translating complexity into action, and partnering cross-functionally to deliver results, this role is built for you. A category and customer analyst will report to the category manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead Customer and Category Growth (~40%) Build insight-led, top-down category stories that fuel national selling strategies and new item commercialization Partner with Sales to create customer-specific presentations that drive distribution, assortment, and merchandising wins Identify whitespace opportunities and lead category reviews and joint business planning with key customers Set customer prioritization frameworks and expansion targets Serve as the category and customer expert to brand and commercial teams Own Insights and Analytics (~40%) Develop and manage a best-in-class reporting toolkit including dashboards, decomposition, and performance tracking Translate syndicated and internal data into clear insights and actionable recommendations Maintain and evolve syndicated data systems to reflect portfolio and competitive changes Provide forward-looking perspective through forecasting, seasonality analysis, and trend identification Deliver fast, accurate analysis to support marketing, sales, and leadership decisions Shape Integrated Business Planning (~20%) Lead monthly performance reporting into the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process Connect total business results to underlying drivers across price, promotion, product, and placement Identify short and long-term opportunities and risks, with clear actions to improve performance Bring a strong consumer and consumption lens into IBP discussions

Experience and Background:

5+ years of experience in CPG category management or sales analytics Hands-on experience using syndicated data to uncover insights and influence decisions Proven ability to turn analysis into persuasive stories and recommendations Prior experience working within a CPG organization strongly preferred

Skills and Capabilities:

Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; comfortable building executive-ready materials Strong analytical mindset with the ability to simplify complex data Confident communicator who can influence both internal teams and external customers Collaborative, team-oriented leader with experience guiding or developing an analyst

Education:

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent relevant work experience