Director, Analytics & Strategy

Shankman & Associates is a regional, full service, CPG broker covering all classes of trade, in an eight state, Midwestern geography.  In business for nearly 50 years, Shankman & Associates prides itself in representing strong national manufacturers, while fostering an entrepreneurial environment suited for the best and brightest associates.  Company culture is one of service and respect.

Reports To: COO

Job Summary:

Shankman & Associates is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Analytics & Strategy to lead and elevate our analytics function. This role is responsible for setting the vision, priorities, and roadmap for analytics and insights across the organization, while ensuring the team delivers timely, accurate, and actionable work that supports internal stakeholders and client partners.

This leader will combine strong business acumen, team leadership, and analytical depth to turn complex data into clear recommendations that drive growth. The ideal candidate is both a builder and an operator—someone who can lead a team, influence senior leaders and clients, improve processes and reporting, and step directly into the work when needed.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategy and Leadership

• Establish and execute the analytics and insights vision, priorities, and roadmap aligned to company and client growth goals.
• Identify high-impact business questions and convert them into analytics initiatives, measurement frameworks, and insight narratives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and client-facing leaders; influence decisions through clear, concise insights.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, including hiring, performance management, and capability building.
• Create and maintain standards for analytics methodology, documentation, and insights storytelling.

Delivery and Execution

• Personally contribute to deliverables when needed, including:
  • Data extraction, cleaning and attribution, and validation
  • Dashboard, scorecard, and recurring report development
  • Ad hoc analyses and requests
  • Presentation development, including charts, commentary, and recommendations
• Develop a critical understanding of various data sources, including, but not limited to, syndicated data, customer-specific data, distributor data, and shopper behavior data
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of reporting across platforms and audiences.
• Implement scalable processes that create efficiencies and increase speed-to-insight.

Insights, Measurement, and Performance Management

• Lead analyses such as assortment, pricing/promo, distribution, shelf/retail execution, market share, and growth drivers.
• Translate data into implications, recommendations, and action plans, track outcomes and impact.
• Support scenario planning and opportunity identification through category management, industry insights, and performance analysis.

Data, Tools and Process Improvement

• Partner with IT/data owners to improve data availability, governance, and reliability.
• Evaluate and implement analytics tools, reporting solutions, and emerging technologies, drive adoption and training.
• Promote best practices in data privacy, security, and responsible analytics use.

Stakeholder partnership

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Category Management/Analytics, Finance, Operations, and client teams to align priorities and deliver actionable insights.
• Play an active role in client and customer presentations, business reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Travel: Director will be expected to travel across geography to meet with team, as well as attend meetings with key clients and customers. Some travel to national shows and client visits may arise.

Location: Hybrid role;
seeking candidates that can commute to one of our office locations: Erlanger, KY; Kentwood, MI; or Solon, OH.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Finance, or other Business-related subject
• 5-7 years of experience in Category Management or data analysis, including 3 years leading teams.
• Ability to function autonomously with strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Willingness to embrace change and drive improvement and efficiency.
• Strong analytical foundation (quantitative methods, KPI design, interpretation, and storytelling). Experience with syndicated and shopper behavior data, space planning a plus.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Power Query and Power BI.  AI experience is a plus.
• Proven hands-on capability with common analytics workflows (data prep, auditing, reporting, visualization, presentations).
• Strong presentation skills and executive presence, with the ability to communicate confidently and effectively in both internal and external settings.
• Strong critical thinking, business judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment and maintain professional decorum in all interactions.