Senior Category Insight Manager - Small Format (Senior Level)

Position Summary

The Category Insights Manager – Small Format is responsible for leading category management, insights, and channel strategy that support Electrolit’s growth across small-format retail channels, including convenience, drug, and specialty accounts. This role partners closely with Sales, Marketing, and Strategy teams to translate shopper, category, and competitive data into actionable commercial recommendations that strengthen assortment, pricing, shelving, and promotional effectiveness. It serves as a primary small-format category management and insights partner for national and regional customer teams.

Serving as a primary small-format category management and insights partner to Sales, Marketing, and Strategy teams; presenting insights to internal leadership and small-format retail partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the insights agenda for the small-format channel, retailers, and categories; translate findings into clear commercial recommendations across assortment, pricing, shelving, and merchandising programs.
• Lead development and execution of category strategies for small-format channels using syndicated data, retailer POS, shopper panel insights, and internal performance metrics.
• Develop customer-ready category stories and presentations that communicate opportunities, risks, and recommended actions.
• Recommend assortment optimization, space allocation, shelf layouts, and merchandising strategies aligned to small-format shopper missions.
• Support customer line reviews, joint business planning, and category growth discussions through fact-based insights.
• Identify white-space opportunities and emerging trends within the hydration and beverage categories.
• Partner with analytics and research vendors supporting syndicated data, shopper studies, and category reporting.
• Ensure insights, reporting, and recommendations are accurate, actionable, and tailored to retailers-specific needs.
• Perform additional duties and project work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of category management principles within the CPG and beverage industries.
• Expertise with syndicated data tools (IRI, Nielsen, Circana), retailer POS systems, and shopper panel insights.
• Ability to craft persuasive data-driven stories for internal stakeholders and customer presentations.
• Skilled in identifying category opportunities and translating findings into practical business strategies.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to synthesize large, complex data sets.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Excel, Power BI, visualization platforms, and category management software.
• Strong project-management skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong business acumen and the ability to operate in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, analytics, economics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in category management, insights, shopper analytics, or related CPG roles.
• Experience using syndicated data platforms and retailer analytical tools required.
• Beverage or broader CPG experience in small-format channels, strongly preferred.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work on-site in Electrolit’s Houston office.
• Occasional travel (approximately 10%) for customer meetings, research initiatives, or team collaboration.
• Ability to work extended hours during major planning cycles, customer deadlines, or reporting periods.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit for extended periods while working with data or preparing presentations. Ability to lift or move standard office materials up to 10 pounds. Regular use of a computer, phone, and analytical/reporting tools in an office environment.