Category Manager

Category Manager (Hybrid)

jlb is an award-winning, retail consulting firm that is passionate about helping brands succeed. Over the past 35+ years, we’ve helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands at Target, including Method, Harry’s and Olly, and hundreds more like them.

We offer Sales and Strategy, Business Insights, Consumer Research, Category Management, Digital Services, Trend, Creative, and Retail Service, delivering a customized approach based on the unique needs of each client. Our collaborative team of 120+ passionate employees come from a variety of backgrounds including emerging brands, large CPGs, and mass and specialty retailers.

We work in a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), which means you don’t have to choose between your life and your work. We’re clear about what results we expect, and you determine how to deliver. We are a strengths-based organization and value each person’s unique contribution. We value diversity and have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee that was built to create a more informed and inclusive environment by educating our team, strengthening our partnerships, and serving our community.

We work hard and we play hard. Our office is a lively environment that was built for collaboration. We offer perks like competitive benefits, 401k, flexibility AND an amazing culture and team. Sound fun? It is! Come join us!

The Team:

JLB Insights provides a high-level partnership to drive Target’s strategic initiatives at an enterprise level, both in store and digitally and aligns with Target’s expectations. Our approach to Category Management provides merchants with elevated analytics and actionable recommendations that lead to category growth.

The Role:

We are looking for our next Category Manager. The ideal candidate is a go-getter with a passion for turning data and insights into action. You get excited deep diving into the business and market, building strong relationships and implementing comprehensive growth strategies with your Target Merchants and Clients. You provide top-tier customer service by showcasing both your strategic way of thinking, and also your strength in execution. An ideal candidate would have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in category management and/or Target buying.

What you’ll do:

• Be a strategic thought-partner to your merchant business units, helping to set and lead the strategic direction for your category at Target (both in-store and .com)
• Deliver merchandising and category assortment planning recommendations
• Utilize multiple data sources to identify actionable insights to drive business results
• Generating weekly and monthly reports analyzing sales performance and providing actionable insights
• Drive Target’s transition process from POG room management through POG execution, utilizing using the JDA software multiple times a year
• Provide marketplace analytics, insights and opportunities
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners at Target, vendor partners and within JLB

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, merchandising, financial analysis or other relevant field
• 4+ years of relevant experience (Category Management, Target Buying, Merchandising Planning, Space Management)
• Experience in Category Management Tools (JDA, Market Data, POS and Panel Data, etc.)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and story-telling skills
• Committed to delivering proactive, actionable insights and recommendations that drive results
• Organizational wizard with great attention to detail
• A+ Communication Skills: written, verbal, follow up, presentation and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously and work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interface with multiple levels of an organization and collaborate with cross-functional team members
• An entrepreneurial spirit and self-starter mentality
• Positive attitude, creative resourcefulness and a team-player
• A passion for retail and a love of Target
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint

Bonus Points for:

• Experience in digital pos and digital market share data, SEO, digital analytics, content management & site experience
• Experience building Planograms for Target
• Direct Target Experience
• Previous involvement with large brands and retailers, skillfully influencing buying decisions

Seniority Level: Mid-level Category Manager (Manager Level)

Industry: Category Management, Sales, Retail