Simple Mills
Manager, Category Insights
Chicago, IL, USA
Simple Mills is a rapidly-growing company on the forefront of the clean food movement, transforming center store grocery aisles with products made from nutritious, purposeful ingredients. Simple Mills is a female-founded business, started by Katlin Smith in 2012 out of her own Kitchen. In the company’s short history, Simple Mills has disrupted the market to become the #1 bestselling natural baking mix, the #1 bestselling natural cracker, and the #1 bestselling natural cookie.
The company’s mission is to advance the holistic health of the planet and its people by positively impacting the way food is made. Simple Mills is distributed in 25,000+ stores nationally including Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco and more, and available online at retailers like Amazon and Thrive Market. The brand’s newest products include: Organic Seed Flour Crackers, Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins, and Soft-Baked Almond Flour Bars. Simple Mills has earned broad recognition from top tier media and industry associations- including a segment on our Founder & CEO Katlin Smith on NPR’s How I Built This. Our products have been featured in a wide array of top publications including Vogue, Women's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, mindbodygreen, NOSH and many more. Simple Mills was also a 2020 Health Magazine Snack Award Winner!
Role Description
The Manager, Category Insights will play a key role in driving Simple Mills’ retail growth by translating data into compelling strategies and stories. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Category Management, this position will partner closely with Sales and Marketing to deliver insight-led recommendations that strengthen our in-store presence, inform category leadership, and support customer growth.
Category Management
Create clear, insight-rich sales presentations by leveraging POS and Shopper data to drive outcomes in customer meetings, including both line reviews and ad hoc requests.
Develop and evolve Simple Mills’ brand “sell-in” narratives that are anchored in compelling data stories, showcasing our ability to drive customer growth and category leadership.
Provide strategic guidance and proactive support to execute data-driven category strategies across key retail accounts.
Lead assortment optimization and merchandising recommendations with a problem-solving lens, balancing customer needs, category dynamics, and Simple Mills' brand priorities.
Collaborate cross-functionally with retail teams to co-create growth plans that integrate category insights with retailer-specific goals, fostering alignment and partnership.
Track, evaluate, and present promotional performance insights with clear, actionable recommendations for improvement.
Retail Insights
Analyze a range of data sources (e.g., Circana, 8451, Scintilla, Numerator) to uncover emerging trends, risks, and whitespace opportunities, communicating insights clearly to both internal and external audiences.
Translate complex data into simple, actionable stories that empower decision-making across commercial teams and retailer partners.
Contribute thought leadership by contextualizing shopper behavior, retailer dynamics, and competitive movement to guide forward-looking strategies.
Leadership & Collaboration
Partner closely with Sales to support key account objectives, ensuring Simple Mills’ brand positioning and category approach are aligned and effective.
Work collaboratively with Marketing, Innovation, and Sales Planning to ensure cross-functional alignment and seamless execution.
Serve as a strategic connector across internal teams, facilitating communication, refining current reporting tools, and helping develop smarter, scalable solutions.
Champion analytical rigor: identify gaps in reporting, elevate tools and processes, and uphold high standards for data integrity and clarity.
Represent Simple Mills externally with confidence and professionalism, articulating category trends and business impact at retailer meetings and industry events.
Insightful Storytelling
Demonstrate deep functional knowledge of Simple Mills’ categories, competitive landscape, and consumer/shopper behavior, and apply this expertise to elevate strategic narratives.
Curate relevant insights from internal tools (e.g., scan data, shopper card data, Mintel, consumer studies) and synthesize them into simple, persuasive stories.
Build and deliver presentations that are visually polished, well-structured, and tailored to the audience, whether retail buyers or internal stakeholders.
Performs other duties as assigned
Requirements
5+ years in category management, retail insights, sales strategy, or commercial analytics
Bachelor’s degree required, with a preference for fields related to business, marketing, or data analytics.
Retailer-facing experience preferred
Expert with syndicated data (SPINS, Numerator, Nielsen/IRI)
Experience with Panel and Shopper Card Data (e.g. Numerator, 8451, Circana)
Expert knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint/presentation-building skills
Able to create polished, story-driven decks that resonate with customers and internal audiences alike.
Ability for big-picture thinking with tactical execution, influencing cross-functionally across Sales, Marketing and Innovation
Thrives in ambiguity, naturally curious, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities
A passion for natural food and healthy eating as well as a desire to change the way we think about ingredient label
Benefits
Working at Simple Mills
At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand, we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.
Why Join Us?
Be a Change-Maker
Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.
Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.
A Workplace Where You Belong
We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.
A Culture of Integrity and Impact
We don’t just talk about doing good, we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.
Grow with People-First Leadership
Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success.
Continuous Learning & Development
Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.
At Simple Mills, you’ll have the chance to make an impact while working in a collaborative and inspiring environment. If you’re ready to shape the future of food, let’s talk.
Benefits at Simple Mills
We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life.
Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $115,000to $120,000.
Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for a quarterly sales bonus tied to sales performance, plus an annual bonus based on individual performance.
Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support your long-term financial security.
Work-Life Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally with unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays (where afternoons are yours to recharge), and a three-week sabbatical after five years of service, because we believe your best work happens when you have the time to rest and refocus.
Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and exclusive product perks to enhance your well-being, because your health and happiness matter.
We’re committed to taking care of our people, so you can focus on making an impact.
Work Model at Simple Mills
Remote working may be considered for qualified candidates from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) if willing and able to travel regularly to the Chicago office. Sufficient internet access to support video conferencing required.
Our work model is role-dependent and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.
At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI
Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@simplemills.com.
$115,000-120,000
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