Associate Manager, Category Strategy

As an Associate Manager, Category Strategy, you’ll apply sharp analytical skills to support and commercialize best-in-class strategies across the cracker, salty, and multipack categories. Using consumer and shopper insights, you’ll develop innovative solutions to drive growth while gaining cross-functional experience through commercial strategy and retail execution projects. This hybrid position is based in Chicago, IL or Naperville, IL., with Battle Creek, MI also as an option.

The Salty Snacks category is one of the largest in the industry, and Kellanova continues to grow with a portfolio of strong brands that resonate with shoppers. We believe food has the power to create positive change—and if you share that belief, bring your entrepreneurial spirit, analytical mindset, and drive to win. By joining this team, you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate data, provide strategic input, and help shape our long-term vision. This highly visible work allows you to make a meaningful impact on both the brands and the business.

 

A Taste of What You’ll Be Doing

• Advancing Category Initiatives – Support the creation and commercialization of category strategies, including shelving and assortment initiatives related to the achievement of sales objectives. Support and develop Kellanova’s category strategy best practices around the consumer and customer within the commercialized go-to-market strategy. 
• Performing Business Analytics – Proactively uncover opportunities through tracking robust analytics of the category, consumer, shopper, market and customer information. From your findings, you will support and develop fact-based / action-oriented recommendations, selling tools and presentations. Become a subject matter expert behind category management and sales tools and methods.
• Collaborating While Managing Projects – Work closely with commercial strategy, and cross-functional teams to implement shopper and category insights. Driving strong alignment and partnerships internally will help you aim for excellence every day.

We’re Looking for Someone With

• High school diploma or GED
• High-level analytical capability
• High proficiency using syndicated data (such as Nielsen or IRI), loyalty card data and shopper panel metrics
• Assimilating and interpreting data from multiple disparate data sources into concise, action-oriented recommendations
• Experience communicating complex and detailed information to multiple individuals and audiences with differing knowledge levels
• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills

 

Compensation

The annual salary range is $87,000-$114,135, which is based on various factors such as location, experience and skill. Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance are also available.

What’s Next

Applications for this position will be accepted through September 2, 2025. After you apply, your application will be reviewed by a real recruiter, so it may take us a few weeks to get back with you by email or phone. Visit our How We Hire page to get insights into our hiring process and more about what we offer.

Need assistance throughout the application or hiring process? Email USA.Recruitment@Kellanova.com.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, employee assistance program, short-term disability coverage, and long-term disability insurance. Also, voluntary

income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident as well as a 401(k) plan with company contributions is available. Part-time employees may have access to benefits on a pro-rated basis. See KellanovaTotalHealth.com for more information.

Get to Know Us

At Kellanova, we are driven by our vision to be the world’s best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our portfolio of iconic, world-class brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Krave, Zucaritas, Tresor, Crunchy Nut, among others.

Kellanova’s Culture of Best means we bring our best to all that we do in