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The Senior Manager, Category Management will report to the Director, Category Management and   is responsible for   developing and executing   Sonic’s beverage, snacks and sides   categor ies , packaging, and innovation strategies that support   Sonic’s   long-term growth   objectives . This role plays a critical leadership position in shaping the menu innovation roadmap,   identifying   growth opportunities, and translating consumer, operational, and business insights into actionable category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and brand differentiation. The Senior Manager leads the end-to-end development and execution of menu and category initiatives, including   the   innovation pipelin e   management, market testing, launch readiness, go-to-market planning,   packaging   and cross functional coordination across Culinary, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Consumer Insights. This role is accountable for ensuring initiatives are strategically sound, operationally executable, and successfully   launched.   In addition, this position provides ongoing category stewardship through performance analysis, consumer and marketplace research, and identification of emerging trends and whitespace opportunities. As a key business partner, the Senior Manager influences organizational decision-making by delivering strategic recommendations, managing complex projects, and aligning cross-functional teams around initiatives that support sustainable growth and strengthen   Sonic’s   competitive position. Responsibilities: Lead Category Strategy and Growth • Develop and execute short- and long-term category,   product,   and packaging strategies that support   Sonic’s   business   objectives   and drive sustainable sales and profit growth. • Identify   emerging consumer trends, marketplace opportunities, and white space platforms to inform the innovation road map and future growth initiatives. • Partner with   category management director and   senior leadership to establish category priorities and strategic recommendations. Own Innovation Pipeline • Lead the end-to-end innovation process from concept development through commercialization, including opportunity identification, business case development, product testing, launch planning, and post launch evaluation. • Build and manage   the   beverage , snack, and sides   pipeline of innovation initiatives across core menu, limited time offers, and packaging. • Collaborate with culinary to develop, refine, and   validate   new products and platforms. Lead Market Testing and Launch Execution • Oversee market test strategy, execution, and performance evaluation to ensure initiatives are operationally sound and commercially successful. • Drive launch readiness activities, including stage gate deliverables, execution checklist, operational alignment, training requirements, and launch materials. • Identify   and mitigate risks while ensuring projects   remain   on schedule and meet business   objectives . Own Category Performance and Insights • Monitor category, product, promotion, and test performance to   identify   opportunities for growth, optimization, and profitability improvement. • Lead consumer research efforts and   leverage   marketplace, competitive, and operational insights to inform category strategy and innovation priorities. • Develop data-driven recommendations and present findings to senior leadership. Management & Direct Reports : • 1 Category Specialist Requirements: • 4 Year Degree Preferred • 7+ years of experience in a category or brand management position • 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 . • Strong computer skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint are   required . • Is detail oriented with a focus on accuracy, process management, and execution   excellence. • 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   with excellent organizational skills   who can operate with some supervision   and has the ability to manage multiple project s   and timelines simultaneously . • Ideal   candidate has an inquisitive nature, a passion for learning and solving problems and a growth mindset. • Ability   to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing business priorities. • A go getter who carries a positive attitude every day and who   desires   to grow in the role and within the marketing organization. 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. Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,300 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.