Amylu Foods is hiring a Director of Category & Strategy to join our growing sales team.

This role will be based in our Fulton Market office and report to the Senior Vice President of Sales.

Who Are We?

Amylu Foods is a high-growth, woman-founded, natural and health CPG company, known for its fresh ingredients and hand-crafted recipes.

As pioneers in the chicken sausage category, we combine innovation with tradition, delivering bold and fresh flavors.

Rooted in Chicago and celebrating 100+ years of craftsmanship, we continue to expand our product offerings and distribution nationwide, redefining the protein category.

We are seeking passionate and talented leaders to join our rapidly growing company for our next phase of growth.

Role Description

The Director, Category & Strategy is a critical commercial leader who transforms data, insights, and cross‑functional inputs into clear strategic direction for the Grocery channel and the broader commercial organization.

This role synthesizes syndicated data, shopper insights, competitive intelligence, financial modeling, and macro trends to build category narratives, sharpen market strategy, strengthen sell‑in stories, and inform long‑term commercial planning.

This leader will act as a strategic thought partner to Sales, Marketing, RGM, and Leadership, helping sharpen where we play, how we win, and which opportunities deserve focus, investment, and prioritization. They will deliver high‑quality, insight‑driven recommendations that elevate decision making and accelerate growth.

Areas of Responsibilities

Category Leadership & Insights Development

• Lead category analysis across key retailers using syndicated data and shopper insights.
• Build compelling category narratives that translate data into clear opportunities, risks, and recommendations.
• Own retailer-facing category reviews that strengthen Amylu’s position as a trusted category advisor.
• Develop actionable recommendations for assortment, pricing, promotion, merchandising, pack strategy, and shelf flow.
• Become the internal subject matter expert on relevant protein and perimeter categories, understanding drivers of velocity, household penetration, loyalty, and competition.

Commercial Strategy & Long-Term Planning

• Support annual and long-range business planning, providing inputs on category trends, distribution goals, assortment, pricing, and promotional strategy.
• Identify ACV and assortment growth opportunities by customer, channel, and pack type; size the financial upside and prioritize accordingly.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, and R&D to shape innovation strategy, including whitespace assessment and go to market planning.
• Develop fact-based guidance on strategic focus areas and commercial priorities.

Sell In Story Development & Customer Support

• Build insight led sell in decks and commercial narratives that support retailer alignment and win new business.
• Partner with Sales to strengthen customer presentations with compelling category data, shopper insights, and financial rationale.
• Provide guidance on shelf strategy and planogram logic that enhances shopper experience and improves category performance.

Performance Evaluation & Executive Reporting

• Develop monthly and quarterly performance summaries highlighting key drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
• Build reporting and dashboards that improve internal visibility and support data driven decision making.
• Create strategic materials for leadership meetings, quarterly reviews, and Board presentations.

Cross Functional Leadership

• Act as an integrated business partner to Sales, Marketing/Shopper, Finance, RGM, and Innovation.
• Coach teams on data literacy, category insights, shopper behavior, and strategic thinking.
• Manage data provider relationships and annual budgets; evaluate tools, platforms, and capabilities that strengthen the category function.

Leadership & Culture Expectations

• Operates with urgency, integrity, and accountability.
• Collaborates cross‑functionally with influence, clarity, and professionalism.
• Demonstrates curiosity, empathy, and a relationship‑first mindset.
• Elevates team standards through organization, communication, and consistent follow‑through.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategy, Shopper Insights, or Commercial Analytics within CPG.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and storytelling capabilities; able to simplify complex data into actionable insights.
• Retailer-facing experience, with strong presentation and communication skills.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, time management, and follow‑through.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and influence skills.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree.
• Space planning experience.
• Expertise with syndicated and shopper data tools; ability to build and automate reporting.

Salary Range

$130,000 – 175,000

Amylu Foods is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran, or disability status.