Category Development Manager

pladis; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

pladis is seeking a Category Development Manager to lead category growth for retailers within the biscuits and confectionery portfolio. You will build strong relationships with buyers, analyse data, and develop strategies to optimise range, distribution, space, promotions and availability.

You will become the biscuit category expert, translate insights into actionable plans, track performance against key KPIs, and collaborate across functions to deliver growth for pladis and its customers.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months commercial or category experience in FMCG.
• Understanding of category management principles and execution.
• Attention to detail with a diligent approach that delivers accurately and on time.
• Ability to turn complex data sets into clear and actionable insights and communicate recommendations clearly.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills with a track record of delivery.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Team player who can support cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively.
• Enthusiastic, positive can-do attitude with a desire to grow.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with key internal and external customers to drive category growth.
• Become a category leader within biscuits and demonstrate external leadership.
• Develop differentiated category strategies for range, distribution, space and promotions.
• Turn available data into actionable insights and communicate recommendations.
• Monitor progress against KPIs such as Share of Space, Distribution and Off Shelf features.
• Drive continuous improvement and share best practices across teams.
• Support brands with shopper and retailer insights and ensure alignment with internal processes.

Skills

Category management

Data interpretation

Communication

Project management

Influencing

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Tools

JDA

NIQ

Numerator (Kantar)

SIP

Lumina

Microsoft Office

Job description

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led , resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility , we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

What will this role achieve?

Working as a key team player within the Category team, this Category Development Manager is accountable for providing category leadership and developing and implementing plans that deliver category growth for retailers. Key to this role will be developing a working relationship with the relevant Buyers within retailers, with a view to becoming the go-to category partner of choice. Key to role this will be supporting retailers in the optimisation of range, distribution, space, location, promotions and availability of these categories, which will ultimately support pladis' growth objectives.

What will be your key deliverables?

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Broaden our sphere of influence and build close working relationships with key internal and external customers (Sainsbury's & Waitrose) for your area of responsibility, through developing a detailed understanding of key contacts, their strategy, goals and calendar, and using this understanding to proactively identify opportunities of benefit to the Category & to pladis.

CATEGORY LEADERSHIP

Become a specialist on Biscuits internally as well as demonstrating leadership externally to enhance pladis profile & influence within this area.

CATEGORY FUNDAMENTALS

Develop and implement differentiated strategies and tactics that maximise range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space (macro, primary and secondary) for the Category and pladis; making the Biscuits categories easier and more enjoyable to shop. Objectively track and evaluate Category and pladis performance in the focus customer(s), identifying risks or opportunities to the pladis portfolio and proactively communicating suggested course correction. Track progress versus key Share of Space, Share of Distribution & Share of Off Shelf Feature KPIs.

INSIGHTS TO ACTIONS, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING

Optimally interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into actionable insights that are communicated regularly to focus customer(s) and the pladis organisation e.g Category health checks, range reviews and promotional analysis.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Adopt the spirit of continuous improvement and share best practice on an ongoing basis via relevant team forums. Look to improve our effectiveness, efficiency & capability.

BRAND CHAMPIONS

Develop internal relationships to ensure that there is a clear category, consumer, shopper and retailer rationale for our brands and retailer operational considerations are clearly understood and acted on during internal processes for your area.

Bring your experience

• Minimum 12 months commercial or category experience gained in an FMCG manufacturing organisation, consultancy or agency
• Understanding of category management principles and execution
• Attention to detail with a diligent approach that delivers accurately and on time
• Ability to turn complex data sets into clear and actionable insights and communicate recommendations in a clear and positive manner
• Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a record of delivery
• Ability to manage multiple projects & deadlines simultaneously
• Working well within a team & is happy to support team members cross-functionally
• Enthusiastic, passionate and positive can-do approach
• Self-motivated and a desire to succeed and grow
• Good influencing and relationship building skills with stakeholders
• Some knowledge of; space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, NIQ, Numerator (Kantar), SIP, Lumina etc
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products

Our Values

• Purpose led - We're energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite
• Agile - We're ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
• Positive - We're highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better
• Resilient - We're persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward
• Collaborative - We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding tog