Category Strategy Leader

Mars; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars in Melbourne is seeking a Category Strategy professional to translate shopper insights into growth across channels. You will lead 1–3 year category plans, optimizing range, space, pricing, promotions and displays to support trade execution.

You will collaborate with Marketing, Customer, Sales, Strategic Revenue Management, Finance, and Consumer Market Insights to design strategies that drive sustainable growth and mutual value for Mars, customers, and consumers.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG category management with customer-facing exposure.
• Strong data-to-insight abilities using Excel and syndicated data.
• Experience with Circana, Quantium or Synergy data sources.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
• Understanding of P&L, pricing and promotions.

Responsibilities

• Lead 1–3-year category strategies translating shopper and consumer insights into actionable plans that deliver growth across all channels.
• Develop recommendations around range, space, pricing, promotion, Provide consultative input to ensure new products align with category strategy, customer needs, and portfolio goals.
• Measure and assess the potential of new products to assess their sales potential prior to development.
• Partner with Customer Teams to deliver compelling trade sell stories and influence POP execution to drive mutual growth.
• Conduct category deep dives, monitor market performance, and translate insights into actionable opportunities to achieve growth targets.

Skills

Category Management

Analytical skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Customer-facing

Tools

Circana

Quantium

Synergy

Job description

Job Description:

Mars: Where your Tomorrow Starts Today!

Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA® we are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.

In this exciting Category Strategy role your work will directly influence customer engagement, shopper behaviour, and business growth. You will translate sales performance, shopper and consumer insights into actionable plans that deliver a three-way win for our consumers, customers, and Mars.

This strategic role drives the identification of, and initiates the response to, best in class Category Growth Strategies, collaborating closely with Marketing, Customer, Sales, Strategic Revenue Management, Finance, and Consumer Market Insights to deliver insight-based strategies that drive and shape future category growth. You will design category strategies that drive sustainable growth, optimise range, space, pricing, promotions, and displays, and influence trade execution and new product development initiatives.

What you’ll do

• Lead 1–3-year category strategies, translating shopper and consumer insights into actionable plans that deliver growth across all channels.
• Develop recommendations around range, space, pricing, promotion, Provide consultative input to ensure new products align with category strategy, customer needs, and portfolio goals.
• Measure and assess the potential of new products to assess their sales potential prior to development.
• Partner with Customer Teams to deliver compelling trade sell stories and influence POP execution to drive mutual growth.
• Conduct category deep dives, monitor market performance, and translate insights into actionable opportunities to achieve growth targets.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in Category Management within FMCG, ideally with strong customer-facing experience.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights (Excel, Syndicated Data, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Scan data sets such as Circana, Quantium or Synergy
• Excellent influencing, negotiation, and communication skills to build strong relationships internally and with customers.
• Solid commercial and financial acumen, including understanding of P&L, pricing, promotions, and portfolio management.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request.

The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

We know everyone’s needs are different, and we’re committed to making our application process accessible and supportive for all candidates. If you require any adjustments along the way, simply let us know in your application form. We’ll work with you to understand what will help you feel comfortable and supported.