Senior Category Manager

Job Title: Senior Category Manager                         

Function: Sales                        

Reports to: Category Management Lead

Location: Evanston Office (Hybrid) or Remote in the US

Position Type: Permanent, Exempt

Schedule: M-F, 8am-5pm

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Ornua (meaning “new gold”) is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world since 1961.

Are you a Senior Category Manager looking for the challenge of taking a mission driven organization to its next level of success?

Ornua is actively seeking a Senior Category Manager to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory. This position will play a key role in driving category growth, strengthening retailer partnerships, and shaping strategic decisions across the Ornua portfolio through advanced insights, analytics, and collaboration.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

As our Senior Category Manager, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of category strategy development, retailer-specific category plans, and insight driven recommendations directly influencing growth initiatives, product assortment decisions, promotional strategies and overall category performance. Your contributions will strengthen our operations, support our culture of continuous improvement, and help Ornua deliver high-quality products enjoyed by consumers around the world.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

You bring a passion for excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment and take pride in producing high-quality insights that influence commercial outcomes. Your strong analytical skills, financial acumen, and ability to translate data into clear stories make you a trusted partner to both internal teams and retail customers.

At Ornua, success is not just about what you do — it’s how you do it. You demonstrate our values by seeking new ideas, making things happen, showing care for your teammates, being your authentic self, and achieving great things together.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in an analytical, research, business, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in a category management role within FMCG/CPG
• Highly numerate with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Advanced ability to extract insights from syndicated data (Circana, Nielsen – POS and Panel)
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex data
• Proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint at an advanced level
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team
• Commercially aware with experience supporting customer-facing initiatives
• Ability to travel for customer meetings as required
• Must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States

Desired Qualifications

• Previous experience in sales or working cross-functionally with sales teams
• Knowledge of joint business planning processes
• Experience with shopper marketing concepts and retailer-specific decision frameworks
• Familiarity with shopper insight platforms (Stratum, 84.51°, or similar)
• Experience working in global, matrixed, or fast‑growing FMCG organizations
• Exposure to project management or leading cross-functional initiatives
• Multilingual ability or international market experience is a plus

WHY ORNUA?

Ornua is a purpose-driven, values-led co-operative creating value for Irish dairy farming families through our global operations. With 10 business units, 16 production facilities, and in-market teams across the world, we operate through two divisions — Ornua Foods, which markets our iconic consumer brands including Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice, and Ornua Ingredients, which provides innovative, customized dairy ingredient solutions to our customers.

• Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.
• We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.
• Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.
• Dynamic Working policy supporting flexible hours and hybrid work options.

PAY RANGE: $104,500 - $127,500

This range represents the overall market pay rate for candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and experience requirements for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, education, and performance.

TOTAL REWARDS

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.

Would you like to make an impact? Apply today!

Ornua is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information.  Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at 833-450-2385 or peopleservicesus@ornua.com. 

This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.