Category Analyst - CPG Grocery

This position is #Hybrid working out of our Mississauga office 3 days a week.

This role transforms category, shopper, retailer, and market data into clear insights and actionable recommendations that drive business decisions.

You will develop compelling category stories that identify trends, growth opportunities, and risks while influencing category strategy, assortment, shelving, pricing, promotions, and retail space decisions.

Space planning is a key component of the role. Hands-on experience with JDA Space Planning (Blue Yonder) is required, including building and analyzing planograms and translating shelves and space performance into actionable recommendations.

• Dig into category, shopper, retailer, and market data to spot the trends, risks, and opportunities others might miss, and get to the "so what" behind them, not just report facts.
• Use Nielsen, Circana, Retail Link, LDIA, Dunnhumby, and other sources to build a complete, connected view of the category instead of isolated data points.
• Build category reviews that link data to clear, actionable recommendations, not just the obvious, and tailor the story to your audience (e.g., a buyer, a client, or a senior leader).
• Guide assortment, shelving, merchandising, pricing, and promotion decisions with practicalrecommendations tied to business results.
• Build, review, and analyses planograms using JDA Space Planning (Blue Yonder) and connect space, assortment and shelf recommendations that work for both the retailer and the brand.
• Present to internal teams, clients, and retail partners with confidence, handle questions, and keep the conversation focused on decisions and outcomes.

Education:

• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience; Business Diploma or Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Work Experience:

• 3+ years of Category Management experience in Canadian CPG, preferably food/grocery.
• Strong working knowledge of syndicated and retailer data sources such as Nielsen, Circana, Retail Link, LDIA, and Dunnhumby.

• Strong storytelling capability, with demonstrated experience turning complex category and shopper data into clear insights and actionable recommendations.

• Hands-on experience with JDA Space Planning (Blue Yonder) is required, including experience building, modifying and analyzing planograms and translating space findings into recommendations.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Key Power BI skills.

Physical Requirements

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lift and carry light items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops, typically 20+ pounds).
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk-based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.

#DiscoverYourPath

Acosta is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey.

Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world.

But it’s not just about what we do – it’s about who we are. With a team of over 20,000 associates, we’re a community of forward-thinking, value-driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry. And, we understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide our associates with flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners and their customers.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected]. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

AI and Automated Decision-Making Notice

We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help screen and/or assess applications for this role. These tools analyze information you provide (for example, your résumé or answers to application questions) to support our hiring team’s review. All hiring decisions include human judgment.

If you have questions about our use of AI in recruitment or require an accommodation, please contact [email protected] or by calling us at 1-800-377-2754.

For more information about how we handle your information you can consult our privacy notice here: https://www.acosta.group/privacy-policy/.

By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use.

#DiscoverYourPath