Category Manager

About the Role:

The Category & Planning Team is a focused and dedicated team with a clear ambition to be seen as the #1 category authority by retailers and a source of competitive advantage by our business. The role of the pladis Category Management team is to help pladis and our retail customers to grow sales of snacking products through the provision of industry-leading shopper, retailer and market insights that enable robust decision making on product ranges, merchandising, business planning and promotions. We work cross-functionally, in collaboration with Sales, Marketing and Planning functions within pladis to deliver against our business goals.

The Category Development Manager is accountable for providing category leadership and developing and executing plans that deliver category growth, in conjunction with the Category Controller for the channel. Successful execution of the category insight will result in pladis being the category partner of choice with our customers and translate to the optimisation of range, distribution, space, location, promotions and availability of the pladis portfolio in the marketplace.

Key Responsibilities:

Customer Relationships: Broaden our sphere of influence and build close working relationships with key internal and external customers (Sainsbury's and Asda) for your area of responsibility, through developing a detailed understanding of key contacts, their strategy, goals and calendar and using this understanding to proactively identify opportunities of benefit to the Category & to pladis.

Category Leadership: Become an authority on Crisps & Snacks internally as well as demonstrating leadership externally to enhance pladis profile & influence within this area.

Category Fundamentals: Develop and execute differentiated strategies and tactics that maximise range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space (macro, primary and secondary) for the Category and pladis; making the Baked Snacks area of the category easier and more enjoyable to shop. Objectively track and evaluate Category and pladis performance in the focus customer(s), identifying risks or opportunities to the pladis portfolio and proactively communicating suggested course correction. Track progress v key Share of Space, Share of Distribution & Share of Off Shelf Feature KPIs.

Insights to actions, analysis and reporting: Effectively interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into actionable insights that are communicated regularly to focus customer(s) and the pladis organisation e.g Category health checks, range reviews, promotional analysis and sales fundamentals

Continuous improvements: Embrace the spirit of continuous improvement and share best practice on an ongoing basis via relevant team forums. Look to improve our effectiveness, efficiency & capability

Brand Champions: Develop internal relationships 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 process.

Skills & Experience Desired:

• Min 12 months commercial or category experience gained in a FMCG manufacturing organisation, consultancy or agency
• Understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background
• Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market
• Ability to turn complex data sets into clear and actionable insights and communicate recommendations in a clear and positive manner
• Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery
• Good influencing and relationship building skills with stakeholders
• Some knowledge of; space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby, Lumina etc
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products

Personal Attributes:

• Communication – Can communicate in a clear & compelling way both verbally & in writing.
• Attention to detail – Has a diligent approach to work & is focussed on delivering work accurately first time & on time.
• Time Management – Can manage multiple projects & deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills – Can build good relationships with people easily & with confidence.
• Team player – works effectively within a team & is happy to support account team members.
• Enthusiastic & Passionate – Presents a can-do positive approach at all times.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.

We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.