Category Analyst Sr

Overview The Senior Category Analyst is the Canadian category and insights expert, responsible for developing and delivering insight‑driven customer and category selling stories. This role synthesizes multiple data sources, applies advanced analytics, and leverages modern BI tools to generate clear, actionable recommendations that drive category and brand growth at retail. The position plays a key role in the sales planning process by providing accurate reporting, actionable insights, and data solutions that improve decision‑making and operational efficiency. Responsibilities Serve as the category and insights expert for the sales team, providing data‑backed recommendations to grow category share and brand performance at retail. Design, develop, and maintain interactive Power BI dashboards to monitor performance, track KPIs, and automate reporting processes for internal and customer use. Synthesize learnings from multiple data sources — including LDIA, Retail Link, Circana/IRI, and internal shipment data — into clear, impactful selling stories using PowerPoint and BI visualizations. Identify growth opportunities through category reviews, pricing and promotional analysis, assortment optimization, and distribution gap assessments. Partner with cross‑functional teams (sales, marketing, insights) to customize national category stories for retailer‑specific strategies. Lead weekly and monthly performance discussions with the local sales team, focusing on category trends, volume drivers, and promotional performance. Manage the use and application of syndicated and non‑syndicated data resources, ensuring data integrity and consistency. Provide category education sessions to internal teams to establish a shared understanding of growth drivers and market dynamics. Share best practices for analytics, reporting, and data visualization across the organization. Qualifications College or university degree in Business, Marketing, Analytics, or related field, or equivalent work experience. 5+ years of experience in category management, business analytics, or insights roles within CPG; beverage industry experience an asset. Proven expertise in Power BI development (data modeling, DAX, dashboard design) and MS Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, automation). Strong experience with syndicated data (Nielsen), retailer POS portals (LDIA, Retail Link, Circana), and data blending for insights. Strong presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Hybrid corporate office/home office work environment. About Us Acosta is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey. Specializing in retail sales services, digital strategy, and business intelligence, Acosta empowers brands to thrive in the world of omnichannel shopping. Our sales and digital teams build lasting relationships, ensuring our client brands get the space they deserve in stores and outperform the competition online, while our merch reps make brands shine in retail locations across the world. We are a community of forward‑thinking, value‑driven professionals committed to an unmatched level of trust and transparency in the industry, and we understand the importance of work‑life balance, which is why many of our field roles provide flexible scheduling options. Join us and be a part of a team that values growth and making a real impact for our clients, retail partners and their customers. Benefits & Compensation Salary Range: $80,000.00 – $90,000.00 Job Category: Marketing Position Type: Full time Business Unit: Sales Company: Acosta Services Canada Co Equal Opportunity Acosta Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact AskHR@acosta.com. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request. Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting. Acosta Group utilizes E‑Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. If you want more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E‑Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e‑verify.gov) By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. #J-18808-Ljbffr