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Director, Category Leadership

The J.M. Smucker Company
United States, Ohio, Akron
Jun 20, 2025

Your Opportunity as the Director, Category Leadership - Coffee

The primary responsibility of this position is to lead and advance Smucker Category Leadership team capabilities to drive high impact performance and growth for Smucker and customers. Actively delivers thought leadership to develop vision to continuously unlock category growth through data and insight activation for the category, Smucker and retailer. Develop category strategies for current and long-term growth rooted in data and insights to optimize assortment, shelf space, aisle vision - fully leveraging consumer, shopper, retailer insights and datasets. High collaboration and contribution as a strategic business partner to annual sales planning, RGM, NRO, innovation, LRP, brand plans and insight initiatives and budgets. The role is also responsible to lead the goal setting and development of the team to continue to elevate the skills and talent of the team.

Location: Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)

Work Arrangements: Hybrid, Onsite approximately 6-9 days per month, during core weeks as determined by the Company; maybe more as business need requires

In this role you will:

  • Translate and synthesize consumer and shopper insights into national strategic category growth drivers and initiatives

    • Identify key customer and channel opportunities which inform JBPs

    • Develop Category Leadership Plan and roadmap based on insights and opportunities

    • Lead development and deployment of national stories into customizable category leadership plans

  • Translate Category Strategy into retailer specific category stories and growth initiatives

    • Identify and activate against key retailer opportunities which inform JBPs

    • Influence retailer category strategies through account specific Insights

  • Lead, coach and develop Category team

    • Identify growth opportunities for team members

    • Provide feedback and direction

  • Work with other SBA leads to ensure consistent approach and language

  • Ensure close connection of Field and Strategy teams and priorities

  • Ensure close connection with Insights team and influence priorities and budgets

  • Develop and deploy Category Leadership best practices

  • Keep an eye towards future of Category trends, systems and best practices

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's Degree

  • 10+ years of relevant experience in CPG industry

  • 5+ years of Shopper Insights or Category Management experience

  • Prior experience managing teams of 5 or more direct reports with a proven track record of inspiring a team to execute plans

  • Strategic Thinker - ability to envision the team/processes/relationships of the future

  • Leadership/Executive presence - leads through resonant engagement demonstrating mindfulness, hope and compassion to build an inclusive environment

  • Ability to lead, communicate, present and influence all levels of the organization, including executive and C-level

  • Self-motivated with ability to embrace change and deliver results managing multiple/diverse priorities

  • Excellent communication skills and attention to detail

  • Ability to travel up to 25% of work schedule

Learn more about working at Smucker:

  • Helping our Employees Thrive

  • Delivering on Our Purpose

  • Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All

Follow us on LinkedIn

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