Category Insights Manager

Highline Warren OverviewHighline Warren is a vertically integrated distributor of maintenance consumables with unmatched access to the North American market. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company operates 21 distribution and manufacturing facilities across North America, offering more than 30,000 products to over 10,000 customers.Highline Warren provides access to over 400 trusted brands — including national, owned, and private label products — and serves as a strategic manufacturing partner to top retailers across North America. With industry-leading fill rates and a strategic network that reaches 99% of the U.S. population within two days, the company simplifies the supply chain for its customers. Employing more than 1,700 teammates, Highline Warren is driven by people powered performance.Role OverviewThe Category Insights Manager is responsible for delivering fact-based category analyses, insights, and recommendations that support customer-facing selling initiatives and internal decision making. This role partners closely with Sales, Marketing, and Category Leadership to translate data into clear, actionable insights that drive category growth. The Category Insights Manager operates with a strong execution mindset and serves as a key contributor, rather than the owner, of broader category strategy. This position focuses on execution, analysis and day-to-day customer and internal support.Key ResponsibilitiesTo Perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function.Category & Customer Insights (Execution Focused)Analyze customer, syndicated, and internal data to develop actionable category and shopper insightsSupport category storytelling by consolidating trends, performance metrics, and fundamentals into clear insights and recommendationsDeliver objective, fact-based insights to support category growth opportunities, issue resolution, and performance improvementContribute analysis and insights for customer presentations, line reviews, and selling materialsCustomer & Sales SupportPartner with Sales, customer presentations, and business reviews by providing category, competitive, and performance insightsSupport selling initiatives through preparation of data, insights, and presentation materialsParticipate in customer discussions as a category insights subject-matter contributor, with guidance from senior leadershipCross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate with Marketing, Sales, and other internal teams to support category initiatives and business questionsWork with analytics, data, and BI resources to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent reportingContribute to cross-functional projects by providing analytical inputs and category insightsProject & Workflow ManagementManage assigned project timelines and deliverables to ensure on-time executionHandle multiple analytical requests and priorities simultaneously while maintaining quality and accuracyPerform ad hoc analysis as needed to support evolving business needsCategory Captain RoleAct as an Auto Retailer’s strategic category partner, leading category strategy, modular planning, and shelf optimization using objective, fact - based insights to drive mutual growth. Serve as the primary steward of category performance, translating shopper, market, and POS data into actionable recommendations that influence assortment, pricing, promotion, and space decisions. Required Knowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesAn individual qualified for this job must be able to:Strong analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights Thrives in a fast-paced environment Effectively manages multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines Collaborative, team-oriented mindsetStrong organization and time-management skillsSolid business acumen with attention to detailInitiative driven and action orientedMinimum Experience, Education, And CertificationsAn individual qualified for this job must have and maintain the following qualifications:Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred but not required4–7 years of experience in category management, insights, or commercial analytics (CPG or consumer goods preferred)Proven experience supporting category insights, promotional analysis, and customer-facing materialsHigh proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI experience strongly preferredFamiliarity with syndicated data sources (e.g., Circana/Neilsen or similar)Experience presenting insights to cross-functional partners or customer teamsDemonstrated success working in a matrixed organization. Solid experience in presenting ideas and concepts to varying seniority levels within an organization. Proven track record of tangible impact to top/bottom line.