Category Space Manager

Job Title: Category Space Manager

Job Description

The Category Space Manager plays a key role in driving category growth by transforming data into clear, compelling insights and recommendations for both internal teams and external retail customers. Working in a collaborative team environment, this role focuses on category analysis, space planning, and storytelling that influence retailer strategies and support long-term business growth. The ideal candidate takes ownership of their work, consistently seeks improvement, and brings a strong passion for the industry.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with retail partners as a category advisor across all areas of the business.
• 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 and persuasive communication.
• Partner closely with the Sales team to engage retailer buying teams in defined territories and identify opportunities to grow the category.
• Use space planning software to design and optimize merchandise layouts for the department in alignment with category and retailer strategies.
• Manipulate, organize, and interpret large data sets to uncover trends, insights, and opportunities.
• Translate complex findings and recommendations into concise, actionable selling stories tailored to different audiences.
• Confidently present insights, opportunities, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders in a persuasive and professional manner.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support category strategies, assortment decisions, and shelf management initiatives.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail and organization in all analyses, presentations, and space planning deliverables.

Essential Skills

• Strong passion for the relevant industry and category.
• Bachelor’s 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 organizing and visualizing presentation storylines.
• Ability to understand complex information, develop insights, and identify opportunities when analyzing large data sets.
• 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.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Self-starter mentality with a track record of taking ownership of work and driving results.
• Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Category management or sales experience within the consumer packaged goods industry.
• Experience with shelf management and planogram creation tools such as JDA, Apollo, or similar space planning software.
• Strong familiarity with syndicated data, software, and measures (e.g., IRI, Nielsen).
• Strong familiarity with shopper panel information, data, software, and measures (e.g., IRI, Nielsen, Numerator, retailer loyalty data).
• Experience using dashboarding and data visualization tools such as Power BI, Qlik, or Spotfire.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Work Environment

This is a remote role that primarily supports a customer base in the Seattle area. The position involves regular travel to customer sites, typically on a monthly basis and sometimes bi-weekly for short road trips. In addition, the role requires quarterly travel by plane to Phoenix and participation in summit events twice a year, which also involve travel. The work is highly collaborative and data-driven, with frequent interaction with internal teams and external retail partners through virtual and in-person meetings. The environment is fast-paced and results-oriented, offering autonomy, ownership of deliverables, and the opportunity to influence category strategy and in-store execution.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Seattle, WA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $34.00/hr.

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 fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 2026.

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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

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.