Sr. Manager - Category Insights - IFE/Grocery/Hardware/Dollar

Central Garden & Pet
life insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, sick time, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Schaumburg
1501 Woodfield Road (Show on map)
Jan 09, 2025
Description The Sr. Manager - Category Insights, Independent, Farm, Export, Grocery, Hardware, & Dollar Channels, is responsible for developing Central Pet's shopper-based learning plan and activating across key growth channels and retailers. This role is critical for driving volume & share growth in Central Garden & Pet's businesses by ensuring growth plans (category and brand) are insight-driven and shopper-led. The Sr. Manager collaborates closely with VPs, Sales Directors, and the Sales Team to integrate insights into core customer processes (e.g., Line Review, Category Review, JBP, T2T) and ensures that Central Pet's data investments (Stratum, Nielsen, Numerator, etc.) are effectively operationalized, maximizing ROI. This position plays a key role in influencing strategic decisions with both standard insights packages & custom insights initiatives to prioritize the customer's voice in business planning and strategic execution. Reporting functionally to the VP of Consumer Insights & Category Leadership, this role will work in partnership with VP/Sales Directors on business priorities and will be remote with occasional travel to corporate offices. Learn more about Central Garden & Pet Company and our pet, lawn, and garden brands at www.central.com. Full-time employees enjoy excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability, free life insurance, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, and more. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: *Curious Thought Leader* Develops a three-year vision for shopper insights across key channels. Champions the creation of category and shopper growth strategies that enhance retailer differentiation and competitive advantage. Translates brand and consumer insights into retail opportunities. Leverages consumer and macro trend data to anticipate retail opportunities and aligns resources internally and externally. *Inspires Others* Leads with courage and integrity; addresses challenges openly and acts with fairness and ethics. Role models a shopper-first approach; strengthens organizational storytelling and strategy presentation. Promotes an inclusive environment through active listening, respect, and candid dialogue, fostering collaborative cross-functional relationships. *Operates with Discipline* Results-oriented with strong people and business skills focused on continuous improvement. Provides direction, delegates tasks, and removes obstacles to progress; champions innovations in digital and technology. Advances organizational goals by applying deep business and marketplace knowledge, envisioning future possibilities, and creating strategic breakthroughs. *Embraces Change as a Leader* Takes initiative in driving change and inspires others to support organizational progress. Champions Central Pet's syndicated data strategy and execution. QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in marketing research, Behavioral Science, or an MBA. Experience in Consumer/Shopper Insights, Category Management, or Shopper Marketing in eCommerce, Mass, and Pet Specialty channels. Proficiency with advanced data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, or similar). MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree with a business emphasis (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Statistics, Marketing, etc.). Experience with customer data platforms such as 84.51, Dunnhumby, SymphonyAI, etc. Strong background in Market Research/Shopper Insights with experience in Brand Building and Innovation at a top-tier CPG company. Expertise in syndicated data (e.g., Profitero, Stackline, Nielsen, IRI, Numerator, Packaged Facts, Kantar). Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. WORKING CONDITIONS: Comfortable, corporate office environment; frequent use of phone and PC; required overnight business travel approximately 10-15% of the time BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Free Life and Disability Insurance Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution Paid vacation, holidays and sick time Employee Assistance Program Access to thousands of free online courses Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more! Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications) Referral Program with cash bonus Access to on-demand pay Paid parental leave Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Cadet, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Kaytee, K&H, Nylabone and Pennington, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California and has 6,700 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. #LI-CM1