CUSTOMER CATEGORY MANAGER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Mai 16, 2025 - The Customer Category Manager possesses extensive experience in category management and shopper insights within Consumer Packaged Goods, showcasing expertise in both field and HQ environments. This role demonstrates a proven track record of leading customer engagements with major retailers and driving cross-functional team success. Additionally, the manager excels in utilizing advanced analytic skills, including Nielsen/IRI data and retailer-specific sources, to develop category leadership strategies.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Customer Category Manager Resume
  • Category Management
  • Shopper Insights Analysis
  • Syndicated Data Analysis
  • Retailer-Specific Data Usage
  • Category Leadership Platforms
  • Project Management
  • Advanced Nielsen/IRI Data Usage
  • Primary and Secondary Research
  • Broker Management
  • Data Interpretation
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership
  • Analytical Problem-Solving
  • Creative Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Presentation Skills
  • Motivational Leadership
  • Adaptability
  • Decision-Making
  • Planning Skills

Summary of Customer Category Manager Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Consumer Behavior with 6 years of Experience

  • Working experience in Category Management (preferably FMCG)
  • A good working knowledge of Nielsen and/or Aztec scan/panel
  • Understanding of promotion and/or range modeling
  • Strong commercial acumen ideally through direct experience in Sales or Category management
  • Customer-facing experience to sell plans to customers
  • Strong interpersonal skills to influence and sell recommendations internally
  • Action-focused mindset with proven ability to deliver through others
  • Able to collaborate effectively across market and functional boundaries 
  • Proven stakeholder and project management experience.
  • Advanced Excel and PowerPoint

2. BA in Retail Management with 8 years of Experience

  • Food/beverage industry experience
  • Experience working directly with category management functions
  • Industry and category management experience 
  • Previous experience within the grocery industry or grocery supply chain
  • Knowledge of industry reporting tools
  • Knowledge of customer-centric retailing principles and the analytics of customer purchase behavior
  • Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the food/beverage industry
  • Strong professional communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
  • High attention to detail and accuracy, and results-oriented
  • Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, scheduling, and time management

3. BA in Economics with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in Category Management and Shopper Insights
  • Strong commercial acumen
  • Proven ability to lead, challenge, and deliver change in a matrix organization
  • Self-motivated with an ability to stimulate an agenda
  • Action-focused mindset with proven ability to deliver through others
  • Collaborates effectively across market and functional boundaries
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills
  • Excellent story-telling skills, which include a clear call to action
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to work as a part of a team

4. BA in Business Administration with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in customer management, account management, and/or retail sales management for a CPG company
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the Customer and gain their trust and respect
  • Strong personal selling skills and negotiation skills
  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Self-motivated, ability to operate independently
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze data and create action plans
  • Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints
  • Ability to operate in a team environment
  • Ability to adapt to a changing work environment
  • Solid working knowledge of computers and related systems including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

5. BA in Marketing with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience in category management/shopper insights in Consumer Packaged Goods, preferably with both field and HQ experience.
  • Demonstrated success in leading category management customer engagements with major Food, Drug, or Mass retailers
  • Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams to drive business results
  • Superior analytic experience - knowledge of developing category leadership platforms with shopper and consumer insights, syndicated sources, and primary and secondary research
  • Advanced-level Nielsen/IRI syndicated data usage and understanding
  • Experience with retailer-specific data (i.e. EYC, 84.51)
  • Broker management experience
  • Excellent planning and project management skills
  • Strong ability to leverage creative thinking and presentation skills
  • Highly motivated leader with the ability to devise an effective solution in unstructured situations
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