Associate Category Manager - Mars Snacking

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Bolton; Hybrid; CAD 86,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University access

Company bonus

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates is seeking an Associate Category Manager to lead confectionery category analysis, customer advisory activities, and strategic execution with key retailers in a hybrid Ontario/Canada setting.

You will use advanced analytics in Excel, PowerPoint, and tools like JDA ProSpace, Nielsen data, and Retail Link to develop insights, guide shelving plans, and drive category growth. The role reports to the Team Lead and emphasizes collaboration and stakeholder alignment.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business or related field.
• Minimum 3 years CPG industry experience with category management.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to translate data into strategies and actions.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; shelf management software experience (JDA ProSpace).
• Nielsen data analysis/Answers experience and Retail Link exposure are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers where Mars is Advisor.
• Conduct confectionery category analysis and derive actionable insights and recommendations.
• Oversee planograms updates and shelf execution across store formats to drive availability and display quality.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align activities with business needs and compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Category management

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint

Education

University degree in Business

Tools

JDA ProSpace

Nielsen data analysis

Nielsen Answers

Retail Link

Job description

Job Description:

The Associate Category Manager is accountable for the understanding and analysis of the Confectionery category and providing objective, strategic and tactical category insights and advice to the customer. You will be actively involved in identifying opportunities for the customer, including sales performance, promotional activities, item assortment and shelving strategy and execution. You will also provide best-in-class examples and insights from the global category community and other available assets.

You will be responsible for external communication with Key Retailers, where Mars Snacking is an Advisor, leading ad hoc requests, weekly reporting, monthly/quarterly strategy reviews, MOD planning and creation, and insight generation using the current tools and other resources available. You will report into the Team Lead.

What are we looking for?

• University degree in Business or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years CPG industry experience with knowledge of grocery/drug/mass channels and with category management experience.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret data from a mix of data sources, translate insights into relevant strategies and tactics (actions/initiatives) and execute with our customers in a clear, simple and engaging way.
• Ability to build effective relations and influence decisions, having the confidence to lead and use data to reinforce your opinions.
• In-store and/or Customer experience and understanding of how to develop engaging and actionable category solutions for the customer.
• Advanced Excel skills and PowerPoint skills.
• Shelf Management software (JDA ProSpace or similar) knowledge. Nielsen data analysis and Nielsen Answers experience.
• Retail Link experience an asset.
• Category Advisorship experience an asset.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Customer Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers where we have advisor status.
• Monitor performance and address issues promptly to maintain high standards.
• Establish reputation as a thought leader with the customer. The Advantage Survey ranking on Category Management and Thought Leadership will be a critical KPI for the Team Lead.

Category Analysis & Planogram Planning

• Conducting ongoing analysis of the confectionery category and support in deriving insights from the analysis.
• Develop recommendations to support category growth.
• Leverage local and global insights and best practices to provide actionable strategies for the customer.
• Conduct assortment analysis to provide recommendations on items not carried by the retailer that perform well in the marketplace.
• Oversee the updating of planograms. Assist in developing planograms for various store formats and sizes to drive shelf quality and availability excellence.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure activities support business needs.
• Ensure compliance with customer policies, industry regulations, and quality standards.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-SL1

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between the below range CAD 86,444.00 - CAD 113,458.00. Please note: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. AI is used as a supporting tool in our recruitment process.