SHARA KAPLAN
Guttenberg,NJ
Summary
Strategic Category Management and Shopper Insights professional leveraging shopper analytics and Circana insights to drive growth and optimize assortments. Delivers actionable consumer insights and leads cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and market viability. Known for impactful presentations and informed decision-making.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Category Management and Insights
No7 Beauty Company
New York, NY
10.2021 - Current
- Supported shopper data analyses, utilizing Circana panel, Walmart Scintilla, and Walgreens FSP to gather consumer insights.
- Built data-driven analyses to help close sales gaps and identify growth opportunities through targeted demographic strategies and shopper insights.
- Used Walmart Scintilla to create assortment recommendations for merchants, estimate lost sales for category and retailer, and support decision to retain key SKUs scheduled for discontinuation.
- Invited presenter at Walmart Data Ventures Inspire conferences in 2025 and 2026, sharing shopper insights work, consumer survey findings, Walmart Media Program development, and performance measurement with about 100 attendees.
- Worked with global analytics teams to develop methods and run analyses that assessed market viability and growth potential for new product launches.
- Managed Circana customer relationship activities, including initial database setup, hierarchy configuration, attribute setup, standardized reporting, and new item submissions and placements.
- Combined Circana POS, retailer POS, Circana panel, and Walmart and Walgreens shopper data to analyze new product performance and identify market trends, guiding category management strategies.
- Led monthly category management insights and performance reviews, setting agendas, gathering cross-functional input, and presenting key findings and actionable recommendations to drive organizational decisions.
- Played key role in strategic decisions on new product launches and existing item distribution by using POS and shopper data to guide internal stakeholders on assortment and distribution strategy.
Manager, Consumer Planning & Insight
No7 Beauty Company
New York, NY
06.2017 - 10.2021
Manager, Customer Marketing
No7 Beauty Company
New York, NY
08.2016 - 06.2017
Manager, Commercial Planning
No7 Beauty Company
New York, NY
12.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Category Manager
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
Berkeley Heights, NJ
01.2014 - 11.2015
- Category Management account responsibility for CVS, Dollar General, Target, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, Wakefern, Publix, and Wegmans over the course of career, supporting Hair Care, Hair Color, and Multicultural Hair Care categories with recommendations on planogramming/product assortment, pricing, and promotional activity.
- Collaborated with buyers and internal sales teams to drive category growth initiatives for L'Oréal.
- Delivered weekly analyses to internal Account Managers and Senior Management on performance drivers, promotional effectiveness, new product performance, and strategic recommendations for items and promotions.
- Compiled monthly key account reports for Vice President of Sales, informing Consumer Products Division leadership and L'Oreal USA on key insights.
- Used retailer loyalty data from Dunnhumby, CVS, Rite Aid, Dollar General, etc. to provide insights on shopping behavior
- Developed POS reporting tools implemented across Sales Analytics team
- Completed ad hoc requests from Senior Management and Marketing teams to provide insights into category performance
- Honors and Awards: 2006 President's Award Winner, 2007 National Account Team of the Year Winner, 2013 Star Team Award
Category Manager
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
Berkeley Heights, NJ
08.2007 - 12.2013
Assistant Manager – Category Management
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
Berkeley Heights, NJ
01.2007 - 08.2007
Category Analyst
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
Berkeley Heights, NJ
05.2005 - 12.2006
Category Analyst
PREMIER BEVERAGE COMPANY
Riverview, FL
10.2002 - 03.2004
- Conducted data analysis to uncover product opportunities and diagnose issues impacting performance.
- Compiled monthly AC Nielsen reports detailing product and category performance trends.
- Delivered monthly presentations for the Grocery Division sales meetings, covering topics ranging from wine category overview to specific product performance
- Analyzed problems in current store sets to create a more logical shopping experience for consumers
- Prepared schematics for clients in the wine and spirits industry
- Assisted in preparation of presentations for sales department.
- Led project execution for the team, ensuring timely delivery of objectives.
Category Associate (Co-Op)
A.C. NIELSEN
Alpharetta, GA
01.2001 - 06.2001
Category Management Co-op
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
Stamford, CT
01.2000 - 06.2000
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Administration, Marketing
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Boston, MA06-2002
Skills
- Shopper analytics
- Circana insights
- Category insights
- Consumer insights
- Market analysis
- Retail analytics
- POS reporting
- Assortment planning
- Space planning certification
- Software proficiency
Timeline
Senior Manager, Category Management and Insights
No7 Beauty Company
10.2021 - Current
Manager, Consumer Planning & Insight
No7 Beauty Company
06.2017 - 10.2021
Manager, Customer Marketing
No7 Beauty Company
08.2016 - 06.2017
Manager, Commercial Planning
No7 Beauty Company
12.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Category Manager
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
01.2014 - 11.2015
Category Manager
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
08.2007 - 12.2013
Assistant Manager – Category Management
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
01.2007 - 08.2007
Category Analyst
L'Oreal USA – Consumer Products Division
05.2005 - 12.2006
Category Analyst
PREMIER BEVERAGE COMPANY
10.2002 - 03.2004
Category Associate (Co-Op)
A.C. NIELSEN
01.2001 - 06.2001
Category Management Co-op
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
01.2000 - 06.2000
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Administration, Marketing
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY