Associate Category Manager

  • Full-time
  • Department: Sales
  • Site Location: Minneapolis

Company Description

Running with Sasquatch is more than just a clever marketing campaign. As a Jack Link’s team member, Running with Sasquatch means we roll up our buffalo plaid sleeves and do the hard work first. We don’t shy away from challenges. In fact, we push hard and take risks. True to our North Woods roots, we're a bunch of ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things by driving results with innovation, creativity and a clear sense of urgency. Like our awesome protein products, we have an unwavering passion for quality, and you won’t find anything artificial here. What you see is what you get… authentic, humble and fun people who Run with Sasquatch!

Running with Sasquatch takes a team. We invite you to run with us, succeed with us, and celebrate with us. Most importantly, Feed Your Wild Side® with us on our journey to be the dominant global leader of branded protein snacks!

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Still family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, and operates a total of 11 manufacturing and distribution facilities in four countries. Jack Link’s produces high-quality, great-tasting protein snacks that feed the wild sides of consumers around the world. Link Snacks, Inc., family of brands includes Jack Link's, Lorissa's Kitchen, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Peperami.

Job Description

Come Run with Sasquatch as an Associate Category Manager! In this role, you will provide Category Management support and recommendations based on customer category strategy and data analytics to deliver growth. You will collaborate and develop strong relationships with Category Management, Brand Management, Sales, Sales Strategy, Trade Marketing and Shopper Marketing develop and execute category insights and recommendations.

You will use your ability to not only understand syndicated data, but then also tell a story and find opportunities to grow the the salty snack category at assigned retailers.

Specifically, you will:  

  • Provide strategic planogram and assortment insights & recommendations to grow customer category and Jack Link's businesses
  • Develop sustainable and strong category partnerships that promote total category and Jack Link's brand growth
  • Be recognized internally and externally as a thought leader in category management and shopper insights
  • Analyze and manage customer reporting utilizing: Syndicated data (including Nielson and IRI), HH Panel, and Retail POS data
  • Ensure data integrity and report accuracy by collaborating with internal and external partners

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you should possess the following education, experiences and skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree, required 
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in a sales analytical role, preferably in a category management role
  • Proven knowledge of analytical and presentation development techniques; experience turning data into a story
  • Demonstrated clear communication skills both orally and in writing to both individuals and groups 
  • Demonstrated success building strong relationships over the phone with customers
  • Advanced Excel skills and strong computer skills, including MS Office            
  • Experience working in a changing work environment
  • Proven experience working autonomously with experience prioritizing work to meet deadlines within specified time constraints
  • Team player with a “can do” attitude
  • Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing to individuals and groups
  • Experienced with planogram software (JDA, Apollo)
  • Experience working with syndicated data including Nielsen, AOD, IRI
  • Willingness to travel to customer appointments independent of others.

Preferred 

  • Convenience Store Experience Preferred

Additional Information

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:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

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