Category Manager

Summary

Medela is a healthcare company developing consumer and medical products to support families, patients, and healthcare professionals. The Category Manager will analyze consumer, market, retailer, and competitive data to develop category strategies, support product launches, optimize pricing, and identify retail growth opportunities while partnering cross-functionally across the business.

Responsibilities

• Analyze consumer, shopper, customer, market, and channel data to identify emerging trends, growth opportunities, and competitive insights
• Translate data into actionable recommendations that improve category performance and drive business growth
• Support the development of retail channel strategies by evaluating customer opportunities, shopper behavior, and competitive dynamics
• Help define go-to-market strategies for new consumer product launches, including channel prioritization, pricing recommendations, and distribution opportunities
• Analyze syndicated market data (Circana/IRI, NielsenIQ, GfK, Numerator, or similar) alongside internal business performance to identify opportunities for growth
• Monitor category performance and changing consumer purchasing behaviors to provide actionable insights across the organization
• Support pricing strategy through competitive analysis and market evaluation
• Develop compelling customer presentations that communicate category insights, consumer trends, and growth opportunities
• Research evolving consumer needs, retail trends, and competitive activity to identify new opportunities
• Recommend assortment and distribution strategies that improve product availability and retail performance
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Finance, and Supply Chain to support commercial initiatives and product launches
• Build dashboards and reports that communicate category health and business performance
• Support customer meetings with data-driven recommendations that strengthen retailer partnerships

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in Category Management, Category Strategy, Shopper Insights, Consumer Insights, Product Marketing, Commercial Excellence, or a related commercial function
• Experience working with consumer products in industries such as Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Consumer Durables, Juvenile Products, Consumer Healthcare, Housewares, Consumer Electronics, Sporting Goods, or medical devices sold through retail channels
• Experience using syndicated market data such as Circana (IRI), NielsenIQ, GfK, Numerator, or similar
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to transform data into actionable business recommendations
• Experience supporting product launches, pricing strategies, assortment decisions, and retail channel planning
• Understanding of retail environments, consumer purchasing behavior, and category management principles
• Excellent presentation and communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A collaborative, curious mindset with a passion for understanding consumers and growing brands
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Power BI or Tableau is preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in Category Management, Category Strategy, Shopper Insights, Consumer Insights, Product Marketing, Commercial Excellence, or a related commercial function
• Experience working with consumer products in industries such as Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Consumer Durables, Juvenile Products, Consumer Healthcare, Housewares, Consumer Electronics, Sporting Goods, or medical devices sold through retail channels
• Experience using syndicated market data such as Circana (IRI), NielsenIQ, GfK, Numerator, or similar
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to transform data into actionable business recommendations
• Experience supporting product launches, pricing strategies, assortment decisions, and retail channel planning
• Understanding of retail environments, consumer purchasing behavior, and category management principles
• Excellent presentation and communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A collaborative, curious mindset with a passion for understanding consumers and growing brands

Nice to Haves

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Power BI or Tableau is preferred

Benefits

• Hybrid: Three days in our McHenry, IL office if local
• Remote if located outside the state
• Comprehensive benefits plan
• 401K with match
• Money Purchase Plan
• 16-week Paid Parental Leave
• Generous PTO package, including 14 paid holidays