Category Development Lead - 6 month Fixed Term Contract

JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS; Maidenhead; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Category Development Lead, where your expertise will shape the future of coffee in the UK market. In this dynamic role, you will lead a team and collaborate cross-functionally to drive strategic initiatives and category growth for Tesco and other key customers. With a focus on building strong relationships and delivering best-in-class category management, you will influence promotional effectiveness and implement innovative product strategies. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a leading global coffee and tea company, where your contributions will be valued and recognized.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years experience in Category Development, Buying, or Account Management.
• Deep knowledge of UK retail shoppers and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the vision and strategy for the Coffee Category.
• Develop relationships with Tesco to ensure JDE is their supplier of choice.

Skills

Category Development

Account Management

Cross-functional Teamwork

Marketing Strategy

Analytical Skills

Influencing Skills

Presentation Skills

Self-Motivation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Nielsen

IRI

Kantar

Dunnhumby

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Category Development Lead - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Sales Maidenhead Full-time United Kingdom

Job Description

As the Category Development Team Leader you will be part of the Category Development and Shopper Marketing team, which forms part of the wider Sales function. You will report to the Demand Accelerator Controller working cross functionally with other departments to deliver the Coffee Category goals.

Primarily, the Category Development Team Leader is accountable for leading the execution in Tesco of the vision, strategy and opportunities identified in the AOP as well as leading a team who are responsible for execution across some of our other retail customers. This role is responsible for implementing and delivering the category ‘Big Rock’ priorities including our ‘love’ and ‘launch’ NPD, ensuring they are “Ready to Sell” for customers.

The role is also responsible for the development and implementation of all strategic and operational Tesco activities related to our coffee portfolio. These activities are based on the category vision & strategy, analysis of shopper behaviour and opportunities, winning in range reviews and developing and implementing Tesco specific category plans in co-operation with the customer, National Account Manager and Tesco Controller.

You will lead a team of 2 who will be responsible for the above for some of our other key customers where your strategic input / support will be key.

Delivering best in class Category Management for Tesco as well as role modelling, leading and coaching a team of 2 to do the same with their customers:

1. Develop a brilliant and trusted relationship with Tesco to ensure JDE is their supplier of choice, via regular in person contact.
2. Tailor the JDE Category Vision to align to Tesco’s strategy to deliver long-term coffee category growth both for JDE and Tesco, as identified in the Value Creation Plan and Brand Plans. Monitor the implementation and defined targets.
3. Lead ongoing promotional analysis, identifying what to stop, start or continue in order to maximise promotional effectiveness for JDE and Tesco – in collaboration with sales, category strategy / RGM, Dunnhumby and your buyer.
4. Working with the Category Strategy and brand teams to successfully implement NPD’s and re-launches, to ensure distribution, market share and profit.
5. Responsible for delivering the From and To Perfect Store growth drivers in-line with the category vision: Range, Space, Distribution, Off Shelf Feature and Display, including online CASA tracking in collaboration with the E-Comm NAM.
6. Advise sales on the distribution and assortment strategy as well as developing customer specific planograms, if required.
7. Own the customer range review calendar and ensure alignment with marketing and other key stakeholders on optimum launch dates and customer shelf requirements.
8. Full range review support for the customer – in store and online – proactively managing this conversation throughout the year.
9. Ongoing evaluation of range, space, sales driving activity and advising both the national account manager and the customer on how they can increase sales and profit. Regular performance reports with key insights / actions.
10. Deliver quarterly PQA’s (Product Quadrant Analysis) and collaboratively manage under-performing skus with the customer and internally.
11. Deliver a quarterly Coffee Market Insights deck for discussion with Tesco regarding future trends, customer competitor executions etc. and lead a bi-annual category opp / vision (including coffee education) session with Tesco.
12. Internally, input into the customer commercial reviews as well as the annual customer business planning cycle and customer / brand planning days – being the voice of the customer.
13. Manage the Dunnhumby Insights relationship, ensuring the efficient and effective use of the data, tools and budget.
14. Collaborate with shopper on activation and evaluation.
15. Lead, coach and develop a team of 2 with support from your controller.

Qualifications

This role would suit a graduate with a minimum of 7 years-experience predominately gained in Category Development, Buying or Account Management roles in FMCG:

• Deep knowledge of UK retail shoppers and customers.
• Experienced coach and line manager.
• Proven at working in cross-functional teams, especially across sales and marketing.
• Marketing literate, able to navigate strategic consumer and brand strategy and executional, commercial detail to develop an integrated strategy.
• Has knowledge of several information system tools (Nielsen, IRI, Kantar, Dunnhumby etc).
• Excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Able to work closely with numbers and break down complexity to deliver clear messaging.
• Self-Motivated – highly disciplined.
• Influencing skills and the ability to manage and lead multiple stakeholders at all levels.
• Brilliant impact presenting to senior management & customers and also credible with Account Managers.
• Be accountable and have a drive to deliver results.
• Be mobile and willing to travel as required for customer meetings.

Company Description

We believe amazing things can happen over a cup of coffee.

Everyone’s coffee experience is unique, and we’ve been innovating since 1753. Our coffee has been loved for generations and a career with us will mean you’ll be playing your part in shaping the future of coffee.

When we grow, you grow. If you have a thirst to be part of our journey, you’ll be exposed to the full spectrum of your field of work. We value potential. We create opportunity to help you grow as a professional, surrounded by amazing people.

JDEPeet’s is the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company, serving approximately 4,100 cups of coffee or tea per second. JDE Peet's unleashes the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 markets with a portfolio of over 50 brands including L’OR, Kenco, Douw Egberts. In 2023, JDE Peet’s generated total sales of EUR 8.2 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 21,000 employees.

The UK represents a top 5 global market for JDE and continues to be a growth engine for the category, driving premiumisation by leading the single-serve portion with the Tassimo brand and growing the instant coffee segment through Kenco, L’OR and the Douwe Egberts brands.