Category Manager
Company: MUSH
Location: Chicago
Posted on: February 16, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Salary: MUSH is a people-first
food company on a mission to fuel humanity with positive energy. We
believe that food's first job is to nourish us, and public health
is a public good. If you aspire to make the world a little
healthier and want to build a reputation of doing hard things well,
MUSH may be a great place for you. Our first product line of
ready-to-eat overnight oats pioneers a new category for the
breakfast occasion, offering a superior value proposition compared
to traditional morning meals. In just five years, we've expanded
from weekend farmers markets to over 14,000 retail doors
nationwide. MUSH is one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in
the country, and this explosive growth requires a high performer
for our world-class Sales Team. Role Description: The Category
Manager will play a crucial role in supporting sales growth and
developing effective go-to-market strategies across various
channels and retailers. This person will synthesize multiple data
streams to provide powerful performance, category, competitive,
consumer, shopper behavior, and macroeconomic insights. Data tools
include syndicated scan data (SPINS, IRI Circana, Nielsen, 84.51),
shopper panel (84.51, Numerator), primary and secondary research,
and industry publications. This person will also deliver strategic
recommendations internally across Sales, Marketing, and Leadership
with the potential to upscale to be included in key customer
meetings. Role Responsibilities: Category Management & Shopper
Insights - Partner with the cross-functional peers in Sales and
Marketing teams to further develop MUSHs sell-in story, turning
data into key actionable insights Create category and shopper
centric presentations founded in research and analysis, delivering
on key customers objectives Lead and present category reviews
internally and potentially externally with key customers Leverage
category and shopper insights to make shelf recommendations that
improve the shopper experience of the Overnight Oats and
Refrigerated Protein Bar segments Own Budget and Relationship
Management with External Data Providers Strategy Development - Work
cross-functionally to develop AMPS (Assortment, Merchandising,
Pricing and Shelving) gold standards and execution scorecards.
Partner with Sales to identify AMPS opportunities across retailers
and channels and track execution with the team Work with the
Shopper and Brand teams to identify main shopper profiles and
occasions within channels and retailers to inform growth
strategies. Develop best-in-class planogram and space
recommendations leveraging scan data, shelf capacity, panel
metrics, and shopper behavior to help inform retailer strategy.
Leverage performance data to support AOP and long-term planning
inputs across channels, doors, assortment, and velocity. Partner
with Marketing and R&D as needed to support innovation
planning. Executive Business Review and Project Support - Develop
executive summaries monthly of how the brand is performing in the
market, highlighting key drivers and diagnosing issues Partner with
leadership team to support Quarterly Board Meetings Qualifications:
3-5 years of experience in Category Management and analytics Strong
analytical skills and the ability to turn data into actionable
insights Storytelling skills using multiple sources such as
primary/secondary research, loyalty card, shopper panel, and
syndicated point of sale data (IRI/Nielsen) Advanced MS Office
(PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) skills, including pivot tables, slicers,
and formulas to automate and contribute to reporting Space planning
experience is a plus Proven strengths in key competencies:
Enthusiasm Flexibility/Adaptability Proactivity Follow-through &
Follow Up Organization & Planning Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking Communication & Listening
Teamwork Alignment of Values: Learning.We are always learning and
seeking to improve ourselves and the world around us. We are
curious about possibilities and act to explore them. Innovation. We
look for new ideas from everywhere and accept that we may be
misunderstood for long periods of time. Taking Action. We have a
strong bias for action and value calculated risk-taking. Being
Resourceful. We accomplish more with less. We are frugal and
believe that constraints breed creativity. Demanding Excellence. We
have exceedingly high standards that most think are unreasonable.
We demand excellence from ourselves and our partners who help us
succeed regularly. Creating Win-Win Relationships. We strive to
create win-win relationships with all of our major stakeholders -
our customers, suppliers, employees, owners, regulators, and the
communities in which we operate. Compensation: Compensation
estimates are provided in good faith at the time of job posting.
Job Offers may vary based on the Candidates education,
certifications, job-related knowledge, skill, and experience. MUSH
may pay more or less than the posted range. The range may be
modified in the future. Salary range: $110,000-$130,000 annual
bonus potential. Bonus payments are contingent upon the Company and
the individual achieving performance goals. Benefits & Perks:
Medical, Dental, Vision Life Insurance 401K plan including 4% match
Unlimited PTO 9 Holidays Unlimited MUSH in office Company swag
Keywords: MUSH, Orland Park , Category Manager, Sales , Chicago, Illinois
