Category Manager, Walmart

Role Overview

The Category Manager, Walmart is the strategic analytical engine for the Walmart account team. This role provides critical business support to the Walmart Key Account Manager (KAM) and Customer Marketing teams, serving as a customer-facing category expert. This role is responsible for translating complex data into actionable insights & solutions that deepen buyer partnerships and grow the total category. The successful candidate will lead the category management process, influencing growth of the category, modular recommendations, and omni-channel optimization.

Essential Job Functions

• Advanced Analytics: Provide analytics support to the Walmart team (Sales Director, KAM) and other accounts as needed, analyzing data from multiple internal and external sources (retailer POS data, Elanco sales data, third-party data such as Nielsen, Circana) and creating reports that support the sales organization and the retailer. Leverage Scintilla and other Walmart data tools to deliver high-impact reporting and insights.
• Thought Leadership: Regularly meet with retail customer’s category team to provide business updates & insights to Walmart buyers in conjunction with the KAM; act as a consultant providing thought leadership on product mix, shelf/display space, and merchandising strategies to drive total category growth.
• Shopper Insights: Integrate multiple data sources—including Household Panel data, proprietary insights, and POS data—to formulate robust, customer-specific recommendations that account for omni-channel purchasing behaviors (Brick & Mortar, Pickup/Delivery, etc.).
• Modular Support: Support the modular development process by recommending optimal category assortments, flows, and adjacencies using space planning logic.
• Performance Measurement: Create and maintain scorecards, ROI dashboards, and new item trackers to support account planning and marketing mix decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal Elanco analytics groups, marketing research, IT and Sales teams to ensure alignment on brand and category performance.
• Strategic Presentations: Deliver accurate and compelling fact-based storytelling presentations to Sales teams, Project teams, and Business Leaders.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred).
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Category Management, Business Analysis, or Customer Marketing.
• Demonstrated proficiency and recent experience using Nielsen & Scintilla to drive retail insights.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced functions/pivot tables) and PowerPoint.
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Elanco Animal Health does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position.

Additional Skills / Preferences

• Highly Preferred: Experience working with Household Panel data (e.g., Numerator, Nielsen Panel, etc.).
• Highly Preferred: Experience with space planning software.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a high level of curiosity regarding shopper behavior trends.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and work across the Elanco organization and the retailer’s organization.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Experience with data visualization software, Tableau.
• Experience in Pet or Pet Health industries is a plus.

Additional Information

Travel: >20%. Location: Must live in Indianapolis, IN or the greater Bentonville, AR area.