Director, Space Management – Category Solutions

Acosta

. Lead and develop a team of Space Planning professionals supporting a major regional grocery retailer .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeBuffalo • New York • United StatesLead💰 $102,000 - $140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Space Planning, Category Management, and Retail Analytics, with a strong focus on team leadership, operational efficiency, and financial performance management. Proven ability to leverage analytics and automation tools to drive process improvements and enhance client relationships.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Space Planning ExpertiseCategory Management CertificationBlue Yonder Space PlanningPlanogram Automation ToolsFinancial Acumen

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Space PlanningCategory ManagementRetail AnalyticsBudgetingForecastingResource PlanningProcess ImprovementProject DeliveryClient Relationship ManagementOperational Excellence

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationCollaborationCoachingTalent Development

Tools & Technologies

Blue Yonder Floor PlanningNuqleous Shelf IQCrisp Mission ControlBlue Yonder POG GeneratorAI-Enabled Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Category Management Certification

Industry Keywords

Grocery RetailPlanogram DevelopmentMerchandisingClient EngagementCross-Functional Team Leadership

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and develop a team of Space Planning professionals supporting a major regional grocery retailer
Oversee space planning, planogram development, merchandising, and category management initiatives
Manage team performance, coaching, talent development, succession planning, and staffing needs
Ensure projects, deliverables, and service commitments are completed accurately and on schedule
Drive operational efficiency through resource planning, workload management, and process improvement
Manage financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, productivity, and resource utilization
Partner with client and internal leadership to identify growth opportunities and deliver strategic solutions
Leverage analytics, automation, AI-enabled tools, and industry best practices to enhance productivity and service quality
Communicate business performance, project updates, risks, and recommendations to client and company leadership
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience in Space Planning, Category Management, Retail Analytics, or a related field
2+ years of people leadership experience
Expertise supporting Walmart category reviews, MOD development, and relay processes
Advanced proficiency with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning
Experience with planogram automation tools, including Nuqleous Shelf IQ, Crisp Mission Control, Blue Yonder POG Generator, or similar
Proven success managing client relationships, project budgets, resource planning, and project delivery
Strong leadership, communication, and business development skills
Category Management certification preferred
Experience leading onsite client service teams within retail, grocery, category management, or space planning environments preferred
Ability to build executive-level client relationships and manage large-scale client engagements
Experience driving process improvements, automation, AI-enabled solutions, and operational excellence initiatives
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning
Experience leading cross-functional teams and partnering with retailers, Category Advisors/Captains, and CPG manufacturers
Knowledge of Blue Yonder Space Planning and Floor Planning solutions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work arrangement with in-office collaboration three days per week
Flexible scheduling options for many field roles
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities
Equal opportunity employment