Category Development Manager

Why join our team?

The pladis Category Team is a focused and dedicated team with a clear ambition to be seen as the #1 category authority by our customers. The role of the pladis Category Management team is to help our retail customers and so pladis to grow sales of snacking products through the provision of industry-leading shopper, retailer and market insights. These enable robust decision making on product ranges, merchandising, business planning and promotions. We work directly with customers externally, as well as providing mentorship internally to ensure alignment of our business goals with the category needs of our customers. Our success has been recognised with a Top 3 ranking in the Impulse Advantage Survey!

What will this role achieve?

Please note: this role is on a 12 month FTC.

Reporting into the Category Controller, this Category Development Manager is accountable for providing category leadership and developing and executing plans that deliver category growth specifically within the Grocery sector. The successful candidate will develop a working relationship with the Buyers of key retailers with a view to becoming the go-to category partner of choice, optimising Biscuits range, distribution, space, location, promotions and availability.

Key results?

• Customer Relationships: Create an ongoing relationship with our retailers, broadening our engagement and becoming the go-to person for category advice & range reviews. The candidate will develop a detailed understanding of key contacts, their strategy, goals and calendar and use this understanding to proactively identify opportunities of benefit to the Category. Create and agree a customer contact strategy that ensures regular provision of insights, leadership of range reviews & merchandising.
• Category Growth Plans: In conjunction with the Category Controller, build a Category Growth Plan that identifies new ways to unlock consumption and purchase for the Biscuits category. Effectively implement the plan with the appropriate retailers; bringing it to life in a simple and compelling way that encourages the focus customer(s) to believe in the growth potential of the categories in which we operate, making it clear what they need to do to unlock the value and reinforce pladis as the #1 category partner to achieve growth.
• Category Fundamentals: Develop and implement differentiated strategies and tactics for focus categories & customer(s) that improve range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space (Macro, primary and secondary) for the Category; making the Biscuits category easier and more enjoyable to shop. Objectively evaluate Category performance in the focus customer(s), identifying risks or opportunities and proactively communicating suggested course correction. Ensure that range reviews & ranging window opportunities are maximised by highlighting opportunities & risks, agree & track progress v agreed metrics.
• Analysis and Reporting: Optimally interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into useful insights that are communicated regularly to focus customer(s) and, where appropriate, any specific findings for the pladis organisation e.g HFSS regulations, Category health checks, promotional analysis and category fundamentals.
• Continuous Improvement: Embrace the spirit of continuous improvement and share the best ways of working on an ongoing basis via relevant team forums. Look to improve our quality of insight & customer service.
• Brand Champion: For the designated area of responsibility, work closely with the Brand Marketing, Innovation and NRM teams to ensure that there is a clear category, consumer, shopper and retailer rationale for our brands and retailer operational considerations are clearly understood and acted on in the brand planning/innovation process.

Key measures:

• Quality of Customer Category Growth Plan & receptiveness and adoption of the plan from customer perspective, reflected in range review leadership
• Agreed specific Category Plan metrics
• AGS Score for category and for “Delivering Insights”

What do you need for this role?

• Commercial and/or Revenue Management or Category experience gained in a FMCG manufacturing organisation, consultancy or agency
• Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background Min 2 years category management experience
• Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market
• Ability to turn complex data sets into clear and useful insights and communicate recommendations in a clear and positive manner
• Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery
• Good relationship building skills with partners
• Some knowledge of; space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe – and this diversity is our phenomenal strength.

We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation