The Director of Category Management, Grocery West / Canada Large Format is one of two such Directors responsible for strategic partnerships Grocery retailers and identifying key opportunities for growth at in the Grocery Channel for Hostess products and the Sweet Baked Goods and Cookie categories. This position will report directly to the Senior Director of Category Management and will be based in the Hostess Chicago Commercial Office.

• Lead the development, implementation & achievement of strategies & key objectives for the Hostess brand portfolio and applicable categories in the Grocery Channel for North America.
• Analyze data using syndicated data sources inclusive of Nielsen, IRI, and Retailer-Specific POS / Loyalty Card Data to identify opportunities that inform business strategy, in order to enable successful integration of the business and continuously improve the growth of the brand.
• Provide support and analysis to internal teams during business reviews, competitive reviews, sales meetings and internal strategy discussions.
• Identify category & shopper ‘Problems-to-Solve’, develop corresponding insight-based solutions and leading the implementation efforts to achieve results.
• Build effective customer relationships by serving as a trusted business partner for our retail customers.
• There will be approximately 25% Travel, mainly to Grocery Retailers in the Western half of the United States, and to Hostess’ Corporate office in Kansas City. Travel to Canada once or twice per year.

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• MBA or Master’s in Marketing or Business Preferred
• 7+ Years relevant experience in Sales, Marketing, and leadership required.
• Minimum of 3 Years of Category Management, inclusive of Syndicated data experience (Nielsen or IRI)
• CPG Food/snacking experience preferred
• Experience working with the Grocery Channel strongly preferred
• Strong leadership skills & ability to think strategically
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills
• Extensive communication & presentation skills