Senior Insights Manager

Who We Are  

At C.A. Carlin, we take brands to new heights. We are one of the leading privately held sales agencies in the industry. Thanks to nimble growth and associations with our operating partners, C.A. Fortune and C.A. Ferolie, we have built brand value that is unlike any other in the CPG industry.  

What We Do  

Since our start in 1962, we have built industry relationships on the foundation of trust and action. We turn information into insight. We convert insight into programs. We drive programs that consistently deliver results to our clients, on their timeline.  

We have more than 300 associates and multiple offices throughout the country. We represent top brands in many categories such as confection, snack, grocery, beverage, frozen, dairy etc. 

Overview of the Role 

• As a Senior Insights Manager at C.A. Carlin, you will play a critical role in shaping our business intelligence and category management strategies, driving data-driven decision-making, and leading a high-performing insights team. You will be responsible for enhancing our analytical capabilities, developing impactful storytelling, and fostering strong collaboration across internal and external stakeholders. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who is passionate about data, thrives on building and optimizing insights functions, and is eager to make a tangible impact in the CPG industry.    
• Fully remote but if local to Chicago, IL or Eden Prairie, MN will observe a hybrid schedule (2-3 days in office)
• Salary range $90,000 - $110,000 based on experience, qualifications and skills
• Less than 10-20% travel requirements to aid in client presentations  
• At C.A. we’re not looking for perfection, just people that want to commit to a us and grow their careers long-term. If you’re looking for a sign to apply, here it is! 

What You’ll Do at C.A. Carlin 

• Strategic Leadership: Define and implement an advanced business intelligence strategy aligned with the Insights Pillar vision, ensuring the function delivers actionable and measurable impact. 
• Team Development & Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 2-5 Insight Analysts, overseeing training, workload management, and career growth to elevate the organization’s analytical capabilities. 
• Analytical Excellence: Drive proficiency in key analytical tools and methodologies, optimizing how the team leverages SPINS, Nielsen, IRI, and other data sources to uncover business opportunities. 
• Category & Business Insights: 
  • Develop and execute category management strategies aligned with client KPIs and best-in-class merchandising principles. 
  • Create fact-based category reviews, business reviews, and selling stories that integrate shopper, distributor, syndicated, and consumer insights to drive informed decision-making. 
  • Lead and present business reviews and strategic recommendations to clients and retailers, influencing go-to-market strategies and shelf-space optimization. 
  • Partner with sales teams to develop and deliver compelling account presentations on new items, share of shelf, and efficient assortment strategies. 
• Performance & Promotional Analytics: Conduct post-promotional analyses to optimize future planning, ensuring programs deliver ROI and align with best practices. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key insights partner to internal teams, fostering alignment across category management, sales, and marketing. 
• Process Optimization: Continuously refine methodologies for reporting, distribution void identification, and opportunity gap quantification to drive efficiency and effectiveness. 

What You Should Bring to the Table 

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 7+ years of CPG industry experience, preferably in Natural/Specialty/Organic food and beverage. 
• Proven Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success in leading, developing, and motivating individuals and teams to achieve high performance. 
• Data & Analytics Mastery: 
  • Advanced proficiency in SPINS (Satori), Nielsen, IRI, and other data platforms. 
  • Expertise in selling story development, category reviews, and category management principles. 
  • Highly advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills to support data storytelling. 
• Strategic & Critical Thinking: Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights and drive strategic recommendations. 
• Process Efficiency & Innovation: Track record of implementing scalable processes to improve reporting, analytics, and team productivity. 
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong ability to translate data-driven insights into clear, compelling narratives for both internal and external stakeholders. 
• High-Performance Mentality: Thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a focus on continuous improvement and impact. 

You Will Stand Out if You Have

• Extensive experience using syndicated data
• Experience leading a team of analysts
• Ability to interpret the data sets and present the results in a way that tells the ‘story’ of the data to a non-analyst audience 

Perks 

• 16 days of PTO
• 11 paid company holidays per year 
• 2 paid volunteer days per year 
• 3 months fully paid parental leave (regardless of gender) 
• Medical, dental, and vision 
• Paid company life insurance 
• 401k with company match 
• Summer hours (half day Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day) 
• Work from home flexibility 

Come As You Are 

C.A. is committed to making our company more inclusive. Diversity fuels our innovation and better connects us to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Based on research, we know that women and other marginalized groups tend to apply to roles only when their experience perfectly matches the job description. That said, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of qualifications, especially if this role aligns with your career trajectory.