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A Category Insights Manager (Channel/Portfolio) is responsible for analyzing industry and shopper trends, supporting long-term strategies for product categories and channel segments, while managing relationships with internal team members and external customers. They maximize portfolio opportunity through product assortment, pricing, promotion and space planning through a Channel- or Portfolio-focused lens. This role is part of the Customer Growth Strategy team.
A Category Insights Manager can be expected to perform the following tasks in this role as a routine part of their job:
Conducts high quality analysis and synthesizes multiple data sources to generate insights and actionable recommendations. (50%)
- Leverages critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize and anticipate opportunities by elevating analyses beyond reporting and translate insights into retail action.
- Utilizes internal and external data to optimize new product introduction, distribution, shelving, pricing, and promotional strategies across stakeholders and customer.
- Conducts analysis using category management capabilities, analytical tools, and data visualizations to identify and communicate opportunities.
- Prioritizes tasks with focus on strategic versus tactical activities that deliver ROI.
- Maintains a strong understanding of Andrews’ sales processes, systems, portfolio, markets and the competition.
- Compiles and conducts data analysis and provides insights and recommendations specifically related to Portfolio or channel.
- Channel Focus Only: Conducts data analysis and provides insights and recommendations specifically related to the Liquor and On Premise channels.
Partners with cross functional teams and stakeholders to understand strategies and objectives. (30%)
- Partners and collaborates with the Brand, Andrews’ Center of Excellence (ACOE) and stakeholders to understand and build strategies and objectives.
- Contributes to Andrews Shopper First Planning process, focusing efforts on measurable value creation with stakeholders.
- Participates in Annual Planning process with stakeholders.
- Partners and provides guidance to Category Manager team members.
- Tracks and reports on category performance and assists in building selling materials for stakeholders.
- Leads Enterprise efforts in developing category plans.
- Portfolio Focus Only: Manages communication with brand leadership and channel managers, driving deep understanding of insight and portfolio strategy.
- Channel Focus Only: Manages communication with channel managers, driving deep understanding of insights and assortment strategy.
Creates insight driven presentations with actionable tactics and strategies with an eye towards storytelling. (20%)
- Builds compelling presentations utilizing external, internal data resources and other visualization tools.
- Provides category management reporting, trend analysis, customized reports and special project work for cross functional teams and stakeholders.
- Collaborates with On/Off Sales teams to develop customer focused presentations representative of the current retail market and environment.
- Drives Category and Space Management best practices.
- Collaborates with Category Managers to assist in developing customer focused presentations that represent the current retail market and environment.
This list is not all inclusive of other tasks and subtasks that may be necessary in performing this role, but rather an overview of the role’s primary work tasks.
CAPABILITIES
A Category Insights Manager has a greater opportunity to succeed if they can develop and master the following job-related capabilities and KSAs:
KNOWLEDGE
- Andrews Portfolio
- Beer, Spirits and Distribution Industry
- Category Management/Space Management
- Competitive Portfolios
- Customer Centric Planning
- Customer Service Principles
- FAVR/Motus
- Inventory Management - Backroom
- JDA Planning Software Knowledge
- LYTX
- Market Segmentation Principles
- Merchandising Literacy
- Model Market Concepts
- OSHA Policies and Procedures
- Packaging and Code Dates
- Quality Standards and Code Dates
- Retail Channels
- Retailer Strategies
- Safety Standards and Procedures
- Sales Team Structure and Understanding
- Selling Principles
- Supplier Expertise
- Swap and Drop Procedure
- Syndicated Data Knowledge
- TABC Guidelines
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to Build Trust
- Ability to Collaborate and Influence at all Organizational Levels
- Ability to Manage Workflow, Commitments and Meet Deadlines
- Ability to Organize and Prioritize Workload
- Ability to Solve Problems and Develop Potential Solutions
- Ability to Use Data and Insights to Create Actionable Selling Stories
- Ability to Work Steadily at a Fast Pace to Meet Time Schedules and Deadlines
- Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
- Active Listening and Feedback Skills
- Change Management Skills
- Coaching, Training and Mentoring Skills
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Customer Service Skills
- Decision Making Skills
- JDA Planning Software Proficiency
- Negotiation Skills
- Project Management Skills
- Selling Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Technical Aptitude/Computer/iPad Skills
QUALIFICATIONS
A qualified candidate for the Category Insights Manager role should satisfy the expectations below:
REQUIRED
Category Insights Manager – Channel
- Three Plus Years of Progressively Responsible Category Management, Sales, and Brand
- Three Plus Years of Data Analysis and Solutions Development; Ability to Work Across Multiple Datasets
- Proven Change Management Leadership Skills and the Ability to Influence Others
- Previous Category Management and Space Planning Software Experience
- Proven Project Management Skills
- Strong Understanding of the Beer, Spirits and Beverage Industry
Category Insights Manager – Portfolio
- Five Plus Years of Progressively Responsible Category Management, Sales, and Brand
- Three Plus Years of Data Analysis and Solutions Development; Ability to Work Across Multiple Datasets
- Proven Change Management Leadership Skills and the Ability to Influence Others
- Previous Category Management and Space Planning Software Experience
- Proven Project Management Skills
- Strong Understanding of the Beer, Spirits and Beverage Industry
PREFERRED
Category Insights Manager – Channel
- Bachelors in Sales, Analytics or Other Related Field
- Strong Financial and Business Acumen
- Previous Brand Management Experience
- Cicerone Certified Beer Server
Category Insights Manager – Portfolio
- Bachelors in Sales, Analytics or Other Related Field
- Strong Financial and Business Acumen
- Previous Brand Management Experience
- Cicerone Certified Beer Server
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ability to maintain a sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time and operate computer equipment.
- Ability to bend, stoop, and twist is required for filing and general office duties.
- Requires intermittent periods during which continuous physical exertion is required, such as standing, walking, stooping, climbing, lifting material or equipment, some of which maybe heavy or awkward.
- Exerts up to 55 lbs of force occasionally and/or negligible amount frequently to move office-related items or materials.
- Ability to use a personal computer for tasks such as communicating via email, preparing reports and other forms of documentation using company and industry software.
- Ability to speak, hear, and see is required to communicate with employees, and to operate computers and office machinery.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and various office equipment.
- Continual hand/wrist motion is required to operate computers and office machinery.
- Driving may be required during the workday.
- Must tolerate working in an environment with inside/outside ambient/extreme temperatures.
- Ability to perform job functions in compliance with company policies and procedures, including safety policies and best practices.
- Must be able to maintain a current/valid driver's license.
- Must maintain regular and punctual attendance.
