Job Description

Job Title: Senior Category Manager

Reports to:Category Team Lead, Ornua Foods North America Inc

Location:Chicago Area

Company Background:

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees. 

Ornua is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. We operate from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and have sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, the UK, and the US. 

You may know us by our brands Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrim’s Choice, Avantage, Forto, and BEO. 

Ornua Foods North America Inc is based in Evanston, Illinois and we market and sell Kerrygold butter and cheese in the North American and LATAM markets.  We are the number two butter brand in the US and number one in the specialty cheddar cheese market. 

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world.  Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua’s Values: 

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together. 

Ornua’s Growth: 

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years. 

Dynamic Working
Ornua have a Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Lead the development of category growth strategies, utilizing shopper and retail insights, competitive analysis and market data.

• Serve as the primary category expert and advisor for key US retail partners, providing strategic guidance on product assortment, pricing, placement and promotional activities.

• Conduct in-depth analysis of consumer behavior, market trends, and sales performance using syndicated data sources (e.g. Circana, Nielsen) to identify growth opportunities.

• Develop actionable insights to drive category performance and retail partnerships.

• Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of category management projects, ensuring timelines and objectives are met.

• Partner with Marketing, Finance and Sales to understand the commerciality of key decisions regarding the Kerrygold portfolio and special projects as assigned.  

• Develop powerful sell in stories (in collaboration with the Sales and Innovation teams) grounded in category, shopper and consumer insights to secure listings of Kerrygold innovation and expansion of current assortment distribution.

• Support delivery of reporting for total business and critical segments (butter, cheese).

• Presenting category performance and drivers to the Exec team each period.

• Manage vendors to ensure accurate data and quality of service (e.g. Circana, Nielsen, Stratum).

Key requirements

Essential

• Previous experience in a Category role, ideally with 5+ years of FMCG experience

• Undergraduate degree in an analytical or research field

• Highly numerate

• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to deliver actionable insight

• Able to articulate data concepts to a non-expert audience

• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills

• Advanced use of Circana/ Nielsen (POS and Panel)

• Strong presentation skills

• Experience solving problems independently and working well as a part of a team

• Commercially aware

• Flexibility to travel to customer meetings as required

Desirable

• Previous sales experience

• Knowledge of joint business planning

• Knowledge of shopper marketing processes

Ornua competencies

• Expertise: Applies effective professional skill, analysis, decision making, planning and reviewing.

• Communicative: Communicates confidently, adapting style for different situations.

• Forward Looking: Responds positively to change and looks ahead to anticipate tasks.

• Working Together: Is supportive, co-operative and inclusive.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.  The salary range begins at $97,200k and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS: 5/29/2025

#LIIndirect #Chicago #Remote #Cheese #FMCPG #Butter

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Sustainable Agriculture, Agriculture

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