Who We Are

At C.A. Carlin, we take brands to new heights. We are one of the leading privately held sales agencies in the industry. Thanks to nimble growth and associations with our operating partners, C.A. Fortune and C.A. Ferolie, we have built brand value that is unlike any other in the CPG industry.

What We Do

Since our start in 1962, we have built industry relationships on the foundation of trust and action. We turn information into insight. We convert insight into programs. We drive programs that consistently deliver results to our clients, on their timeline.

We have more than 300 associates and multiple offices throughout the country. We represent top brands in many categories such as confection, snack, grocery, beverage, frozen, dairy etc. 

Overview of the Role

• The Category Analyst will champion the development and maintenance of the Go-To-Market analytics designed to support, track, and grow core and new product initiatives for all sales channels. The position will populate value-added and actionable selling tools, incorporating customer learning and strategic brand insights that will allow sales (business manager) to achieve volume and profit objectives. This position will act as the regional market lead for sales category management support by providing the tracking analysis on the key metrics of pricing, distribution, displays, and shelf placement, along with other key activities. In essence, this position will perform as if they are an internal consultant, and the business manager is their client (Trusted Advisor).
• Location: Hybrid - Eden Prairie, MN Office
• 5-10% travel requirements to aid in client presentations 
• At C.A. we’re not looking for perfection, just people that want to commit to a us and grow their careers long-term. We are on a mission to build better brands that inspire healthier lifestyles for consumers and their families. If you’re looking for a sign to apply, here it is!

What You’ll Do at C.A. Carlin

• Gather a deep understanding of all your clients as you develop a consultative approach to analyze, make recommendations, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders
• Prepare and integrate multiple data sources for a comprehensive analysis, ensuring sound data hygiene practices and consistency.
• Become an expert in all analytical tools and assets relating to your retail clients and think innovatively about how to meet the evolving corporate client needs, leveraging the most comprehensive tools and resources available
• Implement category management strategy aligned with the gold standard merchandising vision.
• Monitor current industry trends and emerging business issues to stay up to date on the current market landscape
• Develop and deliver category reviews and business analyses into client facing sales stories to drive growth
• Build strong partnerships with business development teams to serve clients through compilation of forecasts and event-based planning, inclusive of individual customer goals
• Maintain communication with your peers within the company to develop a seamless approach across all shared clients
• If you are passionate about insights, trends, innovation, new product development, and thrive in an inquisitive community, CA Carlin is just the environment and place that such people can thrive.

What You Should Bring to the Table

• Minimum – Bachelor’s Degree and 1-3 years CPG industry sales organization experience, preferably in a sales/analytical capacity
• Proficiency with volume analysis and tracking
• Experience in coordinating new item launches
• Experience using syndicated data and category management principals
• Well-honed analytical skills with strong organizational, communication, and time management skills
• Knowledge of the marketing process from product development to in-store purchases
• Experience in data visualization platforms (e.g., spotfire, PowerBI) with the ability to understand the data and proof resulting visualizations from raw data reports. 
• A demonstrated competency in multi-tasking with focus on meeting deadlines
• A proved record as a team player plus the ability to work independently given general direction
• Strong computer skills and experience with Excel, Powerpoint, and Word programs

You Will Stand Out if You Have

• You’re able to interpret the data sets and present the results in a way that tells the ‘story’ of the data to a non-analyst audience
• You think critically, always questioning if something doesn’t line up as you expect and leveraging the curiosity to collaborate with your peers
• You have excellent time management skills, enabling you to easily prioritize competing tasks, hot-off-the-press projects, all while balancing routine reporting timelines
• Experience tracking, monitoring, and provide actionable feedback on distribution, sales trends, shelf management and inventory, and promotional analyses
• Knowledge of the application of consumer panel data
• Familiarity with statistical analysis programs such as PSS, Minitab, RStudio or other software applications like VBA, WinShuttle, Winautomation, or SAP

Perks

• 16 days of PTO
• 11 paid company holidays per year
• 2 paid volunteer days per year
• 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender)
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Paid company life insurance
• 401k with company match
• Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day)
• Work from home flexibility

Come As You Are

C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.