Assistant Category Manager

Job Title: Assistant Category Manager

Job Description

The Assistant Category Manager plays a key role in driving category growth within the beverage industry by developing data-driven insights, identifying strategic opportunities, and delivering clear recommendations to internal teams and external retail customers. Working in a collaborative, office-based environment, this role uses space planning and category management tools to optimize merchandising, strengthen retailer partnerships, and support sales teams with compelling, insight-led stories and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Use space planning software to merchandise the beer department in alignment with category strategies and specific retailer objectives.
• Serve as a trusted category advisor to retail partners across all aspects of the beverage business, building strong and collaborative relationships.
• Develop impactful category analyses and consumer insights using a variety of syndicated and non-syndicated data sources.
• Synthesize learnings from multiple data sources into clear, visually engaging selling stories using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Effectively educate internal teammates and external customers on category growth opportunities through clear, persuasive communication.
• Partner closely with the Sales team to engage retailer buying teams in defined territories and identify opportunities to grow the beverage category.
• Create and manage shelf layouts and planograms using shelf management tools to support optimal product placement and assortment.
• Take ownership of projects from analysis through recommendation, ensuring high-quality deliverables that drive measurable results.

Essential Skills

• Strong passion for the beverage industry.
• Category Management or Sales experience within the consumer packaged goods industry.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Management, Engineering, Mathematics, or a similar field.
• Moderate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and organization.
• Moderate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for structuring and visualizing presentation storylines.
• Strong familiarity with syndicated data, software, and measures (such as IRI/Circana, Nielsen, EYC, or similar).
• Shelf management and planogram creation experience using tools such as JDA or Apollo.
• Ability to analyze large data sets, extract meaningful insights, and identify actionable opportunities.
• Ability to translate analytical findings into concise, compelling, and commercially relevant selling stories.
• Confidence in presenting insights, opportunities, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders in a persuasive manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-starter mindset with a strong sense of ownership and a drive to deliver results.
• Consistently positive and proactive attitude in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using JDA or similar space planning software for merchandising and planogram development.
• Experience working with syndicated data platforms such as IRI/Circana, Nielsen, or EYC.
• Experience in consumer insights, category analytics, or related analytical functions within consumer packaged goods.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Sales teams and retailer partners.
• Strong visual storytelling skills, including the ability to create engaging and impactful presentation materials.
• High level of curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset to enhance processes and deliver better business outcomes.

Work Environment

You will work in a collaborative, data-driven environment that leverages tools such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, JDA, Apollo, and syndicated data platforms like IRI/Circana, Nielsen, and EYC. The culture emphasizes talent, curiosity, and commitment, providing resources and opportunities to help you reach your full potential. You will be part of a large, passionate organization that encourages big thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a shared drive to create a future with more cheers.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Louis, MO.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $32.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Louis, MO.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 31, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Saint Louis,MO.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email

%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.