Category and Shopper Insights Manager Job in Cincinnati, Ohio US
Category and Shopper Insights Manager
Category and Shopper Insights Manager-DIR004116 Description Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company - one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career. The Category and Shopper Insights Manager leads an innovative, insights-driven, customer-facing team to influence and impact decision-making, resource allocation, and plans of action resulting in increased sales growth and volume. The CSIM is a source of expertise regarding actionable category and shopper insights based on marketplace knowledge and data-driven research. The incumbent builds strong customer relationships and influences sales teams through relevant category data and shopper insights knowledge with an innovative approach. The CSIM recruits, develops, and coaches team members to maximize the impact of data analysis and insights while fostering team collaboration and sharing of best practices. Key responsibilities may include, and are not limited to the following: * Partners with account teams to identify, develop and influence short/long term category strategies * Translates category and shopper insights into strategic customer-centric solutions for retain partners * Leads, motivates, trains and develops Customer Category team members * Coaches team members on utilization of data analysis and related tools and resources to maximize impact for sales growth * Coaches team members to increase understanding and application of category and shopper insights which result in actionable solutions * Recruits and on-boards for vacant roles to ensure development of departmental talent * Partners with customer to cultivate rapport and ensures two-way communication, data sharing, alignment, and customer understanding of MCC brands * Leverages marketplace knowledge, trends, and customer needs to provide guidance to direct reports resulting in insights-driven solutions for account teams * Partners with account teams to apply qualitative and quantitative shopper insights during the development of marketing programs * Reviews syndicated research to synthesize customized and actionable recommendations, such as category merchandising based on shopper behavior and trends * Develops and delivers insights-driven presentations to internal and external retail partners to articulate strategies and action plans * Creates and presents insights-based merchandising recommendations that drive both category growth and MCC sales growth * Negotiates foe and allocates optimal data spend across teams * Communicates with customer and account teams in order to identify issues and research needs * Maximizes use of resources to derive shopper insights that lead to the development of related action plans * Fosters collaborative teamwork with, and presents insights-driven solutions to internal-cross-functional teams in order to determine best practices, research, and strategies * Travel of 25% - 30% is required for this position Qualifications Education: * Required: Bachelor's degree * Preferred: Master's degree (MBA) Required: * Minimum 7 years of work experience * Experience with CPG industry or analytical experience * Expertise with analytical tools and resources * Category management knowledge and expertise * Strong data analysis and interpretation skills * Strong interpersonal skills * Understand and leverage category and shopper insights internally and externally * Plan strategically toward goal achievement * Lead and develop a team * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and database information sources * Travel of 25% - 30% is required for this position Our employees are the key to our company's success. We demonstrate our commitment to our employees by offering a competitive and valuable rewards program. Merck's benefits are designed to support the wide range of goals, needs and lifestyles of our employees, and many of the people that matter the most in their lives. To be considered for this position, please visit our career site at www.merck.com/careers to create a profile and submit your resume for requisition # DIR004116. Merck is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V - proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations. Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully: Merck is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Merck via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Merck. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Merck as a result of the referral or through other means.