Category Manager Seasonal

Ferrero International S.A.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in confectionery seeks a Category Manager Seasonal for its Toronto office. This hybrid role focuses on developing strategies for seasonal categories to drive growth. The successful candidate will have significant experience and a passion for data-driven insights and consumer needs.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Category Management or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian retail landscape.
• Experience in budgeting and project management.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute seasonal category strategies.
• Partner with teams to drive category growth.
• Collaborate on data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics

MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

BI tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Location: Toronto Company description

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

About the Role:

You have always loved it, now be part of it! As the Category Manager Seasonal, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing Ferrero Canada's growth strategy across all seasonal categories. You will directly influence sales and margin performance by identifying key opportunities and driving strategic initiatives within your assigned product lines. Through compelling selling arguments and data-driven insights, you will elevate Ferrero’s brand equity and strengthen its leadership position in the Canadian marketplace. Your contributions will have a measurable impact on business performance and long-term brand success.

This role is hybrid and is based out of our offices in North York.

#LI-hybrid

Main Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy Development: Define and execute Ferrero’s seasonal category strategies using DSMP (Distribution, Shelving, Merchandising, Pricing) principles. Ensure alignment with overall business goals and brand positioning.
• Consumer & Shopper Insights Integration: Partner with the Consumer & Shopper Understanding team to translate insights into actionable strategies that drive category growth and shopper engagement.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Collaborate with the Trade Business Intelligence team to source data, develop scorecards, and generate reports that track performance and identify growth opportunities.
• Sales Storytelling & Initiative Planning: Translate annual and long-term category priorities into compelling sales stories and initiatives. Support the sales team with data-driven recommendations and strategic narratives.
• Planogram & Display Strategy: Lead the development of Gold Standard planograms and display execution guidelines at the channel level. Ensure optimal product placement and visibility in-store.
• Joint Business Planning (JBP) Support: Provide category input during JBP processes and support execution of strategic initiatives with key retail partners.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Field Sales, Channel Development, and Marketing to align on KPIs, ensure process integrity, and drive execution of category plans.
• Innovation & Content Development: Create innovative, insight-driven content and tools (e.g., seasonal strategy catalogues) to support sales and marketing efforts.
• Market & Competitive Analysis: Monitor category trends, competitive activity, and consumer behavior using POS data, syndicated research, and internal tools to identify new opportunities.
• Project Leadership: Lead key category management projects with an entrepreneurial mindset. Launch and scale resources and tools that can be leveraged across the organization.
• Customer Collaboration: Support Field Sales in identifying and developing medium- and long-term business opportunities with key accounts in the seasonal category.
• New Product Launch Support: Develop category-based selling stories and strategies for new product launches through the commercial planning process.

Who we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, or a related field (MBA preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in Category Management or a related field
• Strong knowledge of Canadian retail landscape, category management, and syndicated data
• Proficiency in space management software, SAP, BI tools, and Microsoft Office
• Experience with budgeting, project management, and cross-functional leadership
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines

How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you’ll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Diversity Statement

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Accommodations:

Ferrero Canada will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the HR Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.