Senior Manager Category Management

Cincinnati, OH, USA|Travel

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $102,200.00 - $132,900.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

annual bonus eligibility

401k Company Match

competitive salary

inclusive work environment

Career development opportunities

Paid Time Off

Job Description

Bimbo Bakeries USA is the largest baking company in the world, known for popular brands such as Arnold, Brownberry, Oroweat, Thomas' English muffins and bagels, Sara Lee, Entenmann's, and Marinela. With more than 20,000 associates working across bakeries, sales centers, offices, and on sales routes, the company is dedicated to providing consumers with the freshest bakery products at every meal. Bimbo Bakeries USA prides itself on maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment that values diversity, fosters employee development, and encourages employees to be their authentic selves.

At Bimbo Bakeries USA, associates enjoy competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement. The company is committed to creating a supportive workplace culture that promotes teamwork, respect, innovation, and continuous learning. As a part of this dynamic team, you will contribute to a legacy of excellence in the baking industry and help Bimbo Bakeries USA continue to win in the market by delivering outstanding products and services.

The Senior Manager of Category Management for Kroger Assortment is a critical role within Bimbo Bakeries USA's Customer Sales Team. This position serves as the subject matter expert in assortment and shelf management, focusing specifically on the Kroger business. The role involves leveraging deep category insights and analytics to identify opportunities that drive category growth while enhancing sales, market share, and profitability for Bimbo Bakeries USA. As a Senior Manager, you will lead category initiatives and work collaboratively across functions to optimize product assortment, evaluate shelf placement, and recommend improvements that align with both Kroger’s and Bimbo Bakeries USA’s strategic objectives.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can influence key decision makers by providing data-driven insights and actionable recommendations. You will be responsible for managing space management projects, including Kroger’s Kompass process, and facilitating communication among Customer Sales teams, brands, and business units to capitalize on assortment opportunities. Building lasting relationships with Kroger's assortment leaders and leveraging competitive market intelligence are essential to success in this position. In addition to driving short- and long-term value for both Kroger and Bimbo Bakeries USA, you will play an integral role in training, process improvement, and sharing best practices across the organization.

The ideal candidate is a skilled problem solver and an effective communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, matrix environment. You will have opportunities to present to senior executives and stakeholders, applying your deep knowledge of POS, panel data, and category management software to influence strategies and outcomes. This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary range of $116,200 to $162,700, along with annual bonus eligibility, 401k with company match, and a comprehensive benefits package. The role requires travel up to 20% and is designed for a motivated self-starter who enjoys leading change and driving impactful results in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in sales, marketing or business related field
10+ years of customer facing experience in the CPG industry and category management
grocery and mass channel experience preferred
strong problem solving and analytical skills
effective written and verbal communication skills
ability to travel up to 20%

Job Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in sales, marketing or business related field
advanced degree preferred
10+ years of customer facing experience in the CPG industry and category management
grocery and mass channel experience preferred
strong problem solving and analytical skills
ability to convert data into logical, actionable strategies
effective written and verbal communication skills
comfortable presenting to customers and senior executives
highly motivated self-starter with strong project management skills
thorough understanding of POS and panel data and experience with retailer shopper card data sets
experience managing people including creation of individual development plans and defining accountabilities
strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Excel and PowerPoint, and space management software such as JDA or Apollo
ability to travel up to 20%

Job Duties

Proactively identify and lead category management initiatives that drive category growth while increasing BBU's sales/share and profits
serve as category management expert and advisor to leadership and the Customer Sales team
lead and deliver all space management projects and activities including Kroger's Kompass process and internal space management initiatives
communicate and work with Customer Sales Team, Brands, Business Units, and RGM on assortment opportunities such as void closures, at-risk items, innovation, and core assortment
build and maintain long-term relationships with Kroger assortment leads and PLMs
develop persuasive fact-based sales presentations leveraging customer, industry, market, and competitive information
maintain frequent and fluid communication with internal and external stakeholders
perform other duties as assigned