Category Manager - Hybrid Role Job Listing at Lassonde Pappas in Cherry Hill, NJ (Job ID 3431)

Description

Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforces. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us! 

We value each of our employees' total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

Pay Range for this position is: $146,000-$160,000 plus annual bonus, depending on experience and geographical location. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Category Manager reports to the Chief Marketing Officer, North America Specialty Food and can be based out of Cherry Hill, NJ or Rougemont, Quebec . Acting as the subject matter expert, this role provides deep analysis, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations to both external customers and internal stakeholders including Sales / Business Development, Marketing, Finance and Revenue Management. The Category Manager will serve as a trusted advisor, ensuring Lassonde's Food portfolio is positioned to win in a competitive marketplace by optimizing assortment, pricing, promotions, and go-to-market strategies.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Strategic Analysis & Opportunity Identification

• Proactively identify, size, and prioritize growth opportunities across Lassonde's NA Specialty Food Division's categories
• Translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations that deliver measurable business results.
• Serve as the first point of contact for customers seeking category expertise, guidance, and development support.
• Business Planning & Customer Engagement
• Partner closely with Sales to design and execute robust business plans aligned with strategic objectives.
• Build and present tailored category plans that reflect each retailer's unique strategies and priorities.
• Contribute to Joint Business Planning by providing compelling insights, ROI analysis, and sell-in support.
• Go-to-Market Strategy & Portfolio Execution
• Collaborate with Marketing and Consumer Insights to develop persuasive sales stories that support new product launches and portfolio expansion.
• Ensure flawless execution of portfolio strategies, identifying risks and opportunities to maximize distribution and optimize assortment.
• Drive channel and brand development initiatives by leveraging consumer trends, competitive intelligence, and shopper insights.
• Pricing, Promotion & Revenue Management Support
• Develop expertise in pricing and promotional strategies to strengthen Lassonde's competitive positioning.
• Partner with Revenue Management to design and implement strategies that counter competitive activity and enhance profitability.
• Insights, Reporting & Capability Building
• Deliver high-quality monthly and quarterly reports covering market trends, category performance, competitive activity, and shopper behavior.
• Continuously enrich Lassonde's business intelligence by training and developing internal teams on category management best practices.
• Champion the use of data-driven insights to influence decision-making and elevate organizational capabilities.
• Collaborate with the NA Beverage Category Management team to align frameworks and presentation standards, ensuring consistency across the entire Lassonde business.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or equivalent field;
• Minimum 5 years in category management or similar experience in the "CPG" industry;
• Proficiency in syndicated data tools (e.g., Nielsen, Circana) and customer loyalty programs.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate data into actionable strategies.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions and influence both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with a customer-centric mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering high-quality outputs.
• Excellent skills with MS Office Excel and PowerPoint applications;
• Technical competence of Space Planning tools and the development of planograms;
• Sense of initiative and comfortable working independently;
• Bi-lingual preferred (English, French)

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry (if necessary)
• Experience in Manufacturing or production environment (if necessary)
• Experience in report writing
• Proven organizational skills
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or the ability to obtain certification.
• Ability to direct, coach and train others.
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

VISION: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position.  Other duties as assigned are part of every job description.   The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.