The Manager, Category Management will report to the Director, Category Management and is instrumental in identification, development, testing, and implementation of strategic category opportunities for SONIC. This team member will help guide where and how SONIC looks for growth opportunities to meet business needs and will work cross-functionally to understand trends, category growth, current and projected category performance, as well as working with teams to develop strategies, products, and key initiatives to address identified opportunities.RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with Category Management Team to define and refine short and long-term menu strategies to meet brand and business objectives
Partner with Insights, Data & Analytics team to gather information to understand current customer and growth target needs, market trends, competitive landscape, product screener results and develop recommendation for positioning and product testing based on prioritized areas of focus
Analyze ongoing performance of the menu across channels (at the restaurant and in digital channels) to identify opportunities. Recommends appropriate optimization
Guides the Culinary team in development, optimization and on new initiatives for Breakfast, Value, Snacks and Sides menu items; includes building strategic relationships with cross-functional teams such as Operations, Analytics, Supply Chain, Training, Insights, and Marketing
Advises cross-function teams, including Commercial Group, Brand Experience, and Operations on pricing, promotion, and positioning recommendations across channels
Evaluate, test, and launch product and category initiatives, and develop recommendations on path forward for alignment across brand leadership and franchisees
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
Required:4-year degree
Preferred minimum 5+ years working in brand strategy or category management
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, or ABILITIES
Strategic mindset and pays attention to detail.
Data-driven thinking with innate curiosity and growth mindset.
Possess strong business acumen and leadership skills.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to explain difficult concepts and insights in applicable business terms. Strong ability to summarize insights into PowerPoint presentations in clear and understandable calls to action.
Ability to collaborate and motivate cross-functionally. Specifically, across the Operations, Supply chain, Field, and Marketing teams.
Self-starter with the ability to project manage and handle multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting all desired deadlines.
Strong leadership, sales support, project management and training skills.
Understanding of how to take products and programs through development and testing processes.
Effective problem-solving skills and ability to listen and translate details accurately.
Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 32,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.