Job Description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.

At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

and Mission

The Category Manager drives Nestle sales, shopper centricity, and category growth by serving as a strategic partner to retailers through best-in-class thought leadership, insights, analysis, and reporting. This role collaborates with Shopper Insights, Category Strategy, Customer Account Managers and retail partners to influence customer adoption of category growth drivers and optimize merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving strategies.

Location: Preferred location is Arlington, VA, we can also consider Massachusetts; Connecticut; Charlotte, NC; and Philadelphia/Harrisburg, PA.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Strategic Leadership
  • Build strategic customer relationships through category thought leadership and become the “Voice of Choice” for retailer insight needs.
  • Implement Nestle’s category vision with customers, focusing on merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving.
  • Influence customer strategic direction for the category using analytical tools, syndicated/customer-specific data, and shopper insights.
  • Lead knowledge sharing and respond to inquiries about competitive data, customers, categories, or channels.
  • Proactively identify and sell insight-based category growth opportunities to customers
  • Develop and maintain consistent category summaries to establish Nestlé’s category centricity and expertise.
• Commercial Activation
  • Translate insights into actionable growth plans and activations tailored to retailer needs across 4Ps
  • Develop and deliver compelling strategic narratives grounded in division category strategies to influence retailer actions

• Spearhead merchandising and assortment strategies to grow the category and optimize shopability (e.g., planograms, SKU prioritization, share of shelf) both in-store and online for retailers

• Internal Collaboration and Partnership
  • Partner with Sales team to drive category-centric retailer engagements focused on insights and thought leadership
  • Partner with Category Strategy team to understand category/shopper insights and utilize these insights to drive category solutions for customers

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience creating and presenting growth solutions at national, channel, and customer levels.
• Experience leveraging data and insights into actionable solutions
• Ability to deliver insight-based thought leadership for category strategy.
• Able to solve complex analytic problems using data and insights.
• Proficiency in leveraging multi-functional resources and market/shopper analytics.
• Deep understanding of the CPG industry and joint business planning.
• Strong persuasive selling and collaboration skills.
• Ability to build diverse, collaborative relationships.
• Clear and concise communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to manage confidential information internally and externally.
• Knowledge of multidisciplinary business practices.
• Success in cross-functional projects and activities.
• Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing, matrix environment and manage ambiguity.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (business-related preferred); advanced degree a plus.
• 5+ years of category management, sales analytics, or related CPG experience.
• Proven success in building strategic customer relationships and delivering insight-based thought leadership.
• Deep understanding of the CPG industry, joint business planning, and commercializing value.
• Advanced proficiency in market/shopper analytics, syndicated data (Nielsen/IRI), and planogram creation (JDA Prospace or equivalents).
• Strong financial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to manage confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and manage ambiguity.
• Exceptional communication skills (oral and written), with a history of creating and presenting growth solutions at national, channel, and customer levels

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The approximate target compensation range for this role is $135,000 - 165,000 . Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more at Nestle in the US Benefits | Nestlé Careers

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Review our applicant privacy notice before applying at https://www.nestlejobs.com/privacy.

Job Requisition: 407140