Field Category Manager, Kroger

About the Role:

As the Field Category Manager for Kroger, you’ll be at the forefront of driving category growth through data-driven storytelling and strategic insights.

In this full-time remote role, based near Kroger Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, you’ll support the day-to-day category management activities for the Kroger Team. You’ll develop objective, insight-led selling stories that help deliver sales and margin goals—benefiting both Ferrero and the retailer.

Reporting to the Director of Grocery Field Category Management, you’ll use your analytical skills and category expertise to influence decisions, strengthen partnerships, and make a measurable impact on the business.

Main Responsibilities:

• Partner with retailer sales team, broker and internal partners to develop objective data driven, category recommendations that exceed Ferrero key performance indicators (“KPIs”) and deliver Category growth.
• Identify strategic retailer distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing (“DSMPs”) opportunities.
• Advocate for the Category by driving proprietary Ferrero initiatives and become a trusted retail partner.
• Participate in and develop content for retailer driven annual line reviews and joint business planning sessions to enhance category growth within Ferrero Categories.
• Leverage all syndicated data resources, shopper insights and research in support of the sales and category initiatives that ensure linkage with our overarching Category plans.

• Be the subject matter expert on key data tools (E.G. assortment, IRI, retailer loyalty data, etc.).

• Drive support for new product innovation launches through commercial planning process.
• Regularly monitor and analyze category, competition, and consumer market data to proactively identify business opportunities and develop actionable category insights.

Developmental Opportunities:

• Interact with cross-functional team members at various levels of the organization, gaining exposure, awareness of other functions, and encouraging cross collaboration.
• Lead key retailer projects and demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit as you help address category management opportunities.
• Participate in Ferrero and Category Management specific trainings to sharpen your skills and prepare for advancement opportunities within the Category Management team.
• Formal and informal mentorships with stakeholders providing for multiple career mapping opportunities.

About You:

• Bachelor's degree in business/marketing discipline required, MBA a plus.
• 7-10 years relevant experience required, including CPG, channel and/or retailer facing experience a must.
• Extensive Kroger Category Management skill set preferred, Category Space Planning experience a plus.

• Exceptional analytical and storytelling abilities using syndicated and/or proprietary retailer data.
• Strategic and objective thinking to develop retailer strategies and identify opportunities for the Category.

• Strong communication, storytelling, presentation, and project management skills.
• Global mindset: desire to build a successful career with a growing global company.
• Executive level written, oral, time-management and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Circana, Nielsen, retailer shopper data (84.51), Power BI and data modeling a plus; strong MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills necessary.
• 25% travel for HQ and customer facing meetings.

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero:

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.

Ferrero U.S.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

We’re constantly looking for talented individuals who are ready to be part of our dynamic and growing organization. Ferrero is a company with a global presence and family values. Join us!