Category Development Manager - Home Fragrance

Job Type:  Full-Time
Location Type:  Hybrid
Primary Location: 

Norwalk, Connecticut, US

W3Schools.com

Job ID: 4910 

Alternate Locations:  

 

 

Newell Brands is a leading $8.3B consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid® and Sharpie®, and 25,000 talented employees around the world. Our high-performance culture, unparalleled curiosity about the world around us, and talented people fuel our success. Our culture is enabled through our core values which guide all we do and how we win as One Newell. They are Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership & Leadership.

 

Position Overview:

We are looking for a highly skilled Manager, Category Development to lead strategic category initiatives and influence key business outcomes across our growing portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity for a data-driven, results-oriented professional with a passion for category management, consumer insights, and strategic execution. In this role, you will have the chance to shape the direction of the category, drive significant business growth, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Brand, Sales, and Marketing to deliver impactful business results across multiple channels.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

CATEGORY EXPERT & STORYTELLER:

  • Develop Category Strategy: Take ownership of the category’s strategic direction by creating foundational insights, category playbooks, and national selling stories that align with retailer and company objectives.
  • Create Impactful Content: Craft compelling category selling stories for assortments, new items, and merchandising tactics. Tailor these stories to individual retailer needs, ensuring that they drive transformation and growth across key aisles and departments.
  • Collaborative Leadership: Work closely with Brand, Sales, and Leadership teams to identify growth opportunities and influence product roadmaps, pricing strategies, and marketing initiatives.
  • Influence Business Strategy: Leverage consumer insights and market data to proactively shape decisions that impact product offerings, marketing campaigns, and customer experience.

CATEGORY PERFORMANCE REPORTING:

  • Track & Report Category Performance: Lead weekly discussions and reporting on category performance, with a focus on key volume drivers and metrics such as Driving, Shelving, Merchandising, and Pricing (DSMP). Provide advanced analysis of household penetration, loyalty, and purchase dynamics to inform business decisions.
  • Competitive Intelligence: Continuously monitor competitive trends using syndicated data and competitive tracking tools. Deliver insights that highlight opportunities for growth, new buyers, and trial or repeat behaviors.
  • Strategic Presentations: Prepare data-driven insights and analysis for high-stakes meetings, including customer line reviews, Joint Business Plans (JBP), and Innovation Summits.

SYNDICATED DATA KNOWLEDGE EXPERT:

  • Syndicated Data Mastery: Serve as the go-to expert on syndicated POS, household panel data, and eCommerce data, guiding brand and sales teams on how to interpret and leverage this information effectively to prioritize business actions.
  • Coaching & Training: Educate sales teams on the best practices for utilizing data tools and interpreting consumer insights, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making across the organization.
  • Influence Data Strategy: Collaborate with central analytics teams to ensure that the company is meeting current and future data needs. Advocate for data solutions that drive business insights and ensure we’re working with the right vendor partners.

Key Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field (MBA is a plus).
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience in Category Development, Category Management, or similar roles, with a strong preference for experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
  • Analytical Expertise: Advanced proficiency with analytical tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint) and syndicated data platforms (NPD, IRI, Nielsen) is required. Ability to transform data into actionable insights that influence business decisions.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Brand, Sales, Marketing, and external partners. Experience influencing decision-making across multiple organizational levels.
  • Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex data and strategic recommendations clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Multi-Channel Expertise: Experience with multi-channel strategies, including an understanding of eCommerce dynamics and shopper behavior.
  • Leadership Potential: Strong initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills. A demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Why You Should Apply:

  • Strategic Impact: This role gives you the opportunity to shape the category's growth and strategic direction, directly influencing key business outcomes.
  • Collaboration at Scale: Work with senior leaders across multiple functions—Brand, Marketing, Sales, and Product—to drive innovation and growth.
  • Growth Potential: As we continue to expand, you will have the chance to take on increased responsibility and leadership opportunities.
  • Exposure to Leading Data & Tools: Use cutting-edge data platforms and analytics to influence the future of our category strategy.
  • Dynamic Environment: Join a collaborative and results-oriented culture where your contributions will have a direct impact on the business.

The Connecticut base pay range for this position is from $133,675 to $163,425. Salary will be based on prior experience related to the skills required for this position.

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Date Posted:  Apr 23, 2025