Associate Category Manager

What We Do 

At C.A. Fortune, we aspire to maintain our position as the nation’s leading consumer brands agency. We realize how fortunate we are (pun intended) to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients. From sales management to marketing, all the way down to insights and e-commerce, our boutique service model offers a breadth of services to our clients. 

Who We Are 

People. Passion. Purpose. Our people are the core of our business. Our unique boutique service model allows our people to follow their passions with a purpose, all while delivering excellent services to our clients. We are committed to living out our values. We are fearless and curious innovators who lead with solutions, empower others, and do the right thing, always. We are a family-first organization and recognize the importance of a healthy and flexible work-life balance, a positive support system, and the power of diversity and inclusion. 

Overview of the Role 

• The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category management initiatives, analytics, and reporting for assigned clients and retailers. This role is responsible for delivering accurate analyses to optimize pricing, promotion, distribution, displays and shelf placement, building foundational category insights, and contributing to business reviews and selling stories. 
• The position will maintain value-added and actionable category management tools, incorporating customer learning and strategic brand insights that will guide sales and business managers to achieve volume and distribution objectives. This position will perform as if they are an internal consultant and trusted advisor to our sales organization as well as our top clients and have a focus on Walmart. 
• Location: Hybrid to Bentonville, AR and would observe a hybrid schedule 3 days in office 
• Salary range: $80,000 - $90,000 based on experience, qualifications and skills.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 10% as needed to present to clients 
• At C.A. we’re not looking for perfection, just people that want to commit to a us and grow their careers long-term. We are on a mission to build better brands that inspire healthier lifestyles for consumers and their families. If you’re looking for a sign to apply, here it is! 

What You’ll Do at C.A. Fortune 

Analytics & Reporting Support 

• Produce recurring and ad-hoc reporting for assigned clients, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 
• Support development of category reviews, business reviews, and selling stories. 
• Provide shopper analysis, syndicated, and consumer data to identify key trends and opportunities. 
• Participate in identifying distribution voids, assortment gaps, and promotional performance insights. 

Category Strategy & Insights 

• Apply foundational category management principles to support client KPI objectives. 
• Develop fact-based recommendations that help optimize pricing, promotions, distribution, and shelf strategies. 
• Prepare materials for client meetings, including new item presentations and shelf analyses. 
• Support post-promotional analysis and help document learnings for future planning. 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal sales teams and cross-functional partners. 
• Support communication of best practices, process improvements, and analytical methodologies. 
• Assist in maintaining internal tools, templates, and dashboards used across the Insights team. 

What You Should Bring to the Table 

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, analytics, finance, information systems, or related fields. 
• 4 - 6+ years of experience in CPG as a Category Analyst, Insights Analyst, or similar analytics role; exposure to shopper or syndicated data required. 
• Must have experience with Walmart and comprehensive knowledge of the category review process
• Strong curiosity and desire to understand the “why” behind the data. 
• Proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint; ability to manage datasets and create clear presentations. 
• Ability to articulate insights concisely and translate data into meaningful implications. 
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to meet deadlines. 

You Will Stand Out if  You Have

• Prior agency experience
• Extensive experience with Walmart 
• Familiarity with retailer-specific POS or shopper card data (e.g., Scintilla, Retail Link). 
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI platforms. 
• Interest in developing leadership skills and supporting knowledge-sharing among peers. 

Perks 

• 16 days of PTO
• 11 paid company holidays per year 
• 2 paid volunteer days per year 
• 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender) 
• Medical, dental, and vision 
• Paid company life insurance 
• 401k with company match 
• Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day) 
• Work from home flexibility 

Come As You Are 

C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.