Associate Category Manager

Responsible for the development and execution of product, packaging, and category initiatives that support the strategic goals for Jimmy John’s U.S. This role leads market test readiness and launch execution, including go-to-market inputs, packaging and POP development, and cross-functional coordination across Culinary, Supply Chain, Operations and Marketing. Supports our beverage and catering initiatives, ensuring accurate and timely execution of product and packaging initiatives. With strong project management skills and attention to detail, this position supports the Category Management and Culinary vision by translating innovation strategies into effect in-market execution.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead Market Test Execution & Launch Readiness

• Develop culinary briefs and concept screeners for new products and packaging across LTO’s, core menu, beverage and catering.
• Lead coordination across cross-functional partners (Culinary, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, Training, Tech) to support seamless test launches.
• Own end-to-end execution of market tests for product and packaging initiatives, ensuring all elements are delivered accurately and on time.
• Manage go-to-market inputs including timelines, launch materials, and execution checklists.
• Develop and sell in business cases with product summaries and plans to internal and external teams. 
• Collaborate with Category Management & Culinary for any new product or platform launches through seamless handoffs and sharing of insights.
• Identify execution risks and proactively escalate issues to ensure successful delivery.

POP, Packaging & Supplier Coordination

• Lead development and execution of point-of-purchase (POP) and packaging materials for market tests and other initiatives.
• Manage packaging and POP artwork requests, ensuring alignment with brand standards and timelines.
• Coordinate with internal cross functional teams to coordinate production, approvals, and delivery of packaging and POP materials.
• Attend and support photoshoots, ensuring product presentation is accurate and on-brand.

Beverage & Catering Execution

• Support pipeline planning for beverage and catering products and packaging initiatives.

• Lead coordination of updates, testing, and rollout activities within these categories.
• Partner-cross functionally to support operational readiness and execution.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy across materials and in-market execution.

Innovation Support & Test Enablement

• Support innovation pipeline through execution of tastings, test materials, and product validation efforts

• Assist in preparation of materials for internal reviews, market tests, and cross-functional alignment
• Maintain strong attention to detail across all deliverables to support high-quality execution
• Work with Senior Director, Category Management & Culinary to identify whitespace and unlock brand growth.
• Monitor trends and insights to develop recommendations on prioritized area of focus

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: 4 yr degree in Marketing, Business, Culinary Arts or related field

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

Minimum: 2 +yrs working in Marketing, Brand Strategy, Category Management, Culinary Innovation or related expertise

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS or ABILITIES

• Business acumen, including understanding of market trends, consumers, competitors and P&L fluency.
• Experience taking product ideas from ideation to execution.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to collect and synthesize information, making it relevant, understandable, and actionable for key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to explain difficult concepts in applicable business terms. Strong ability to summarize strategies into (PowerPoint) presentations in clear and understandable message.

• Project Management and strong ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, prioritize and be detail oriented.
• Self-starter personality who can operate with some supervision.

• Ideal candidate has an inquisitive nature, a passion for learning and solving problems and a growth mindset.
• Ability to work closely with food products, including preparation and handling during tastings and testing, with an understanding that exposure to common food allergens may occur.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Periodically, up to 25% of the time   

 

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 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.