Category Manager (Temporary contract - 18 months)

Bel; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bel Canada seeks a Category Manager to lead category insights and growth opportunities for major accounts in Toronto, Ontario. The role focuses on promotions, distribution, shelf space (planograms/assortment), and pricing recommendations to support Bel’s short- and long-term growth objectives.

You will collaborate with Key Account Managers, analyze data (Nielsen/IRI/POS), prepare business reviews, and tailor presentations by account.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in the CPG industry in category management or related field.
• Experience in category insights and direct account management is an asset.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead all category management activities for the accounts under their responsibility
• Interpret business data and develop fact-based recommendations to support sales and profitability objectives
• Conduct planogram analyses and optimize Bel’s in-store presence
• Analyze and optimize promotional mix, ROI for Bel and retailers
• Monitor progress against business objectives and recommend actions
• Collaborate with KAMs to align with commercial strategy
• Prepare business reviews with recommendations to retailer category teams
• Support annual planning with data analysis and opportunities

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership

Financial acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Organization & prioritization

Sales data analysis

POS data tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Nielsen

IRI

LDIA

Retail Link

Job description

Company Overview

Our signature reflects Bel’s commitment to promoting healthier and more responsible food for everyone. Every day, this mission mobilizes 12,600 employees across more than 30 countries to build a sustainable and responsible business model.

Our iconic and positive brands – The Laughing Cow®, Babybel®, Boursin® – continue to reinvent themselves to offer consumers healthy, innovative, and accessible snack options.

Would you like to join a company with an entrepreneurial spirit that places trust and accountability at the heart of its decisions? Are you bold, pragmatic, and driven?

This is a temporary position with a duration of 18 months.

The Category Manager will play a key role in contributing to Bel’s success. This involves leading the development of category insights to create growth opportunities through promotions, distribution, shelf space (planograms/assortment), and pricing recommendations. The role is also essential in providing category and customer insights to support strategic decisions aimed at achieving the company’s short- and long-term growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all category management activities for the accounts under their responsibility
• Interpret business data and develop fact-based recommendations to support sales and profitability objectives for both retailers and Bel
• Conduct planogram analyses and provide recommendations to optimize Bel’s in-store presence
• Analyze and recommend the optimal promotional mix, promotional efficiency, and ROI for both Bel and retailers
• Monitor progress against business objectives for Bel brands and retailers and recommend actions as needed
• Work closely with Key Account Managers (KAMs) to ensure alignment with their commercial strategy
• Prepare business reviews with clear recommendations and present them to retailer category teams and senior management
• Collaborate with the RGM team to evaluate promotional ROI and advise KAMs on annual promotional planning
• Tailor sales presentations by account and channel by integrating category insights and retailer strategies
• Deploy Bel’s category vision for each managed account in collaboration with KAMs and customers
• Support the annual planning process through data analysis, opportunity identification, and recommendations
• Provide ad hoc analyses to internal teams and management
• Partner with KAMs to ensure the most accurate forecasts possible and actively contribute to the S&OP process
• Maximize the use of internal and external data sources, including Nielsen, Numerator, and customer POS data (IRI, Toolbox, LDIA, Retail Link)

Minimum Education And Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the CPG industry in category management or a related field
• Experience in category insights and direct account management is an asset
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field

Skills

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strong financial acumen and strategic thinking
• Team player with the ability to collaborate across functions
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities and deadlines
• Results-oriented with strong attention to detail and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in sales data analysis
• Strong command of tools such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Expertise in data analysis using Nielsen, IRI, LDIA, Retail Link, and other POS platforms
• Fluency in both English and French (spoken and written) required
• Occasional travel required (internal meetings, customer meetings, and training)