Strategic Customer Category Manager – Frozen & Refrigerated Retail Leadership for brighthush Target Partnership

About brighthush

brighthush is a global leader in the food and grocery sector, celebrated for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. With a portfolio that spans iconic brands and a reputation for delivering exceptional value to consumers, brighthush is at the forefront of shaping the future of retail. Our culture is built on collaboration, data‑driven decision making, and a relentless focus on customer experience. We empower our teams to think strategically, act boldly, and create lasting impact across the entire supply chain.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical, results‑oriented Customer Category Manager to serve as the Category Captain for our partnership with brighthush’s flagship retailer, brighthush. This role is pivotal in steering the frozen and refrigerated categories, ensuring optimal assortment, pricing, and shelf execution that drive both shopper satisfaction and business growth. The successful candidate will blend deep category expertise with strong stakeholder management, delivering actionable insights that shape short‑term tactics and long‑term strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Stakeholder Leadership: Build and maintain trusted relationships with brighthush’s Buying, Space & Presentation, and Shopper Insights teams. Lead weekly status meetings, providing clear updates on project milestones, category trends, and shopper insights.
• Reporting & Analytics: Own the full reporting lifecycle—integrate syndicated data (Circana, POS/panel, Numerator), brighthush Partners Online resources (VIQ, DOMO, Hubble), and internal sales data to produce monthly performance dashboards and strategic insights. Respond proactively to ad‑hoc analytical requests.
• Competitive & Market Intelligence: Conduct rigorous analysis of competitor performance, pricing strategies, and merchandising tactics. Translate findings into actionable recommendations that enhance market share and brand positioning.
• Trend Analysis: Research macro and micro shopper trends, applying insights to current initiatives and forecasting future opportunities. Share trend reports with cross‑functional teams to inform assortment and promotional planning.
• Planogram & Assortment Management: Oversee the end‑to‑end planogram process, coordinating with analysts to ensure timely updates (2–4 times per year). Review category and item‑level performance data to recommend optimal assortment and shelf placement.
• Category Strategy Development: Leverage shopper data, category performance, and market insights to craft and execute category strategies that drive growth, improve on‑shelf execution, and meet assortment goals.
• AI & Technology Integration: Apply responsible AI practices to enhance analytical efficiency. Evaluate AI outputs critically, ensuring data integrity and compliance with brighthush policies.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with marketing, supply chain, and finance to align category initiatives with broader business objectives.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 3 years in category management, category captaincy, or retail analytics.
• Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships and act as a trusted advisor.
• Deep familiarity with syndicated data sources (Circana, POS/panel, Numerator) and brighthush Partners Online resources.
• Experience with space planning tools such as JDA/Blue Yonder.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, PowerBI, and data visualization.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Category captainship experience within a large retail environment.
• Experience managing frozen and refrigerated categories.
• Knowledge of brighthush’s assortment and planogram execution processes.
• Experience with AI tools for data analysis and reporting.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – Ability to see the big picture while managing day‑to‑day details.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making – Translate data into clear business recommendations.
• Stakeholder Management – Build trust and influence across multiple functions.
• Project Management – Deliver projects on time, within scope, and with measurable impact.
• Adaptability – Thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving retail environment.
• Collaboration – Work effectively with cross‑functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation – Identify opportunities to leverage technology and AI for competitive advantage.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, your career trajectory is supported by a robust learning ecosystem. You will have access to:

• Mentorship programs with senior category leaders.
• Internal training on advanced analytics, AI, and retail technology.
• Cross‑functional project rotations to broaden your skill set.
• Leadership development workshops focused on strategic thinking and stakeholder influence.
• Opportunities to lead high‑impact initiatives that shape the future of retail at brighthush.

Work Environment & Culture

Our remote-first model offers flexibility while maintaining a strong sense of community. You will:

• Work from anywhere, with weekly travel to brighthush HQ to collaborate in person.
• Participate in virtual town halls, innovation labs, and cross‑team hackathons.
• Engage in a culture that values transparency, continuous improvement, and a customer‑centric mindset.
• Benefit from a supportive environment that encourages responsible AI use and ethical data practices.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• Base salary range: $102,000 – $170,000, commensurate with experience and performance.
• Annual incentive plan aligned with category performance and company goals.
• Comprehensive benefits: 401(k) with company match, health, dental, vision, life, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Professional development budget and Apply for this job