Category Manager FMCG
My client is the category leader across a wide range of sub-categories, their responsibility is to be the consumer, shopper & category expert. This expertise will be used to enhance their customer relationships and to deliver mutual insight led growth.
The candidate for this role will be an integral part in building, developing and maintaining credible, long term, category lead relationships, internal & external.
In addition, they will be the voice of the consumer and shopper in the organization delivering actionable insights that deliver category value creation.
JOB SUMMARY
Develop category understanding to provide actionable insights
We are operating in a world that is increasingly information rich & insight poor, we need to support our retail partners by providing clear & actionable insight platforms that can help to grow their categories.
Link closely with agencies and identify appropriate insights and data sources for Ireland. Turn insights into actions within retailers by executing, analyzing and evaluating category plans.
Localise our category vision by integrating relevant existing category, shopper, consumer and brand insights and data. Drive incremental growth in the category by translating our category vision to customer specific initiatives through a shopper first lens.
Deliver continuous insight through performance monitoring
Create, develop, and deliver regular category updates for internal & external stakeholders
Provide business analysis and insights of sales, pricing, promotion, opportunity gaps for incremental volume
Deliver new item introductions and performance analysis and new product/package mix analysis
Provide a holistic and integrated view of the ‘why’ and ‘what’ is happening in the category, shopper behaviour and marketplace (with retailers/channels), to help prioritize strategic and tactical initiatives for the CCBT.
Utilize and understand Nielsen, Kantar WHICH Data, Household Panel, market demographic data, EPOS and loyalty data and systems used to generate the information for category reviews.
SKU optimization, optimum product mix
Proper shelf position (strike zone)
Monitor implementation and review of range recommendations
Managing the end-to-end critical path, to deliver range events in line with the merchandising schedule providing leading edge Category Management solutions
Bring the shopper & consumer view to the CCBT aiding the delivery of Shopper insights and recommendations in the delivery of NPD, promotional plans and JBP building.
Understand how the shopper is shopping the category, identify opportunities to put our companies’ products outside of the main fixture.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Strong communication skills are required to express analytics to various levels in the organization; as well as the ability to deliver presentations and training
In-depth knowledge of the consumer goods industry including class of trade, customer groups, category, competitive products, competitive strategies, and industry trends
Must be able to effectively interact with peers, sales management and senior management
Be able to work effectively in a team environment
Must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
Excellent analytical skills are needed not only to evaluate, but to provide useful, actionable tools that are clear, meaningful, and delivered in a timely manner
Strong project management and planning competencies
Innovative, solution-oriented mindset with problem solving and strategic thinking skills
Self-motivated and able to work independently