JOB DESCRIPTION



Walmart Category Advisor - Manager

Company: Rust-Oleum Corporation

Location: Bentonville, AR


Overview


As a Category Advisor - Manager, you will be a strategic partner to Walmart's merchandising team, driving growth across multiple categories.

With expanded scope and responsibility, you'll apply your CPG experience, data expertise, and leadership skills to deliver insights, influence decisions, and optimize category performance.

You will also manage one direct report, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance oversight to support team and business objectives.


Responsibilities

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  Team Leadership & Development: Provide direct supervision and mentorship to one category analyst, supporting their professional development and ensuring alignment with strategic goals
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  Category Strategy & Growth: Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to drive sales, profitability, and market share.
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  Data-Driven Insights: Utilize Walmart Luminate, JDA Space Planning, Circana/Nielsen, and other syndicated data sources to identify opportunities for category expansion, SKU optimization, and competitive differentiation.
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  Assortment & Space Optimization: Conduct Opportunity Gap Analyses, identify brand gaps, and leverage qualitative and quantitative data to recommend assortment and space improvements.
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  Retailer Collaboration: Act as a thought leader and trusted advisor to Walmart's buyers and merchants, providing insights that influence category decisions.
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  Space Management: Utilize space management technologies to build and implement modular resets that enhance the shopper experience and maximize category productivity.
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  Market & Competitive Intelligence: Stay ahead of industry and consumer trends, analyze competitor activities, and develop strategies to address evolving market dynamics.
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  Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with internal teams across sales, marketing, supply chain, and finance to align category strategies with broader business objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance
• 7 - 10 years of experience in Category Management, Shopper Insights, or Sales within a CPG manufacturer or brokerage firm.
• 3+ years of experience informally leading others and / or multiple complex projects or initiatives.
• 3+ years of experience managing or mentoring a direct report, with demonstrated ability to provide coaching and performance feedback
• Proficiency in Walmart Luminate, JDA Space Planning, Circana, Nielsen, Numerator, and other syndicated data tools.

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  Strategic & Insight-Driven Leadership: Skilled in developing data-driven category strategies, translating complex data into actionable insights, and anticipating market shifts to drive growth.
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  Advanced Analytical & Technical Expertise: Proficient in market and trend analysis using tools like Walmart Luminate, JDA Space Planning, and Circana/Nielsen to support decision-making and space optimization.
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  Executional Excellence & Category Management: Experienced in modular resets, SKU optimization, assortment planning, and serving as a Category Captain or Advisor for major retailers.
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  Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, supply chain, and finance without direct authority.
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  Omnichannel & Communication Strengths: Strong understanding of omnichannel retail trends and shopper behavior, paired with excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
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  Targeted People Leadership: Experience managing or mentoring a small team or individual contributor, with a focus on development, accountability, and collaboration