What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Category & Customer Insights position at LIPARI FOODS OPERATING COMPANY, LLC?
The Category Manager is a growth driver for Crystal Farms. This role turns data into clear, compelling stories that unlock revenue growth for our brands and our customers. You will synthesize multiple data sources - syndicated data, customer insights, performance reporting, and market trends - to shape go-to-market strategy, influence customers, and guide internal decision-making across sales, marketing, and IBP.
If you enjoy connecting the dots, translating complexity into action, and partnering cross-functionally to deliver results, this role is built for you.
A category and customer analyst will report to the category manager.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead Customer and Category Growth (~40%)
- Build insight-led, top-down category stories that fuel national selling strategies and new item commercialization
- Partner with Sales to create customer-specific presentations that drive distribution, assortment, and merchandising wins
- Identify whitespace opportunities and lead category reviews and joint business planning with key customers
- Set customer prioritization frameworks and expansion targets
- Serve as the category and customer expert to brand and commercial teams
Own Insights and Analytics (~40%)
- Develop and manage a best-in-class reporting toolkit including dashboards, decomposition, and performance tracking
- Translate syndicated and internal data into clear insights and actionable recommendations
- Maintain and evolve syndicated data systems to reflect portfolio and competitive changes
- Provide forward-looking perspective through forecasting, seasonality analysis, and trend identification
- Deliver fast, accurate analysis to support marketing, sales, and leadership decisions
Shape Integrated Business Planning (~20%)
- Lead monthly performance reporting into the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process
- Connect total business results to underlying drivers across price, promotion, product, and placement
- Identify short and long-term opportunities and risks, with clear actions to improve performance
- Bring a strong consumer and consumption lens into IBP discussions
Experience and Background:
- 5 years of experience in CPG category management or sales analytics
- Hands-on experience using syndicated data to uncover insights and influence decisions
- Proven ability to turn analysis into persuasive stories and recommendations
- Prior experience working within a CPG organization strongly preferred
Skills and Capabilities:
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; comfortable building executive-ready materials
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to simplify complex data
- Confident communicator who can influence both internal teams and external customers
- Collaborative, team-oriented leader with experience guiding or developing an analyst
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent relevant work experience