Category Development Manager - Aldi Lidl (12 Month Contract)

Mars, Incorporated; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food company in Slough is seeking a dynamic Category Development Manager to spearhead strategies with Aldi and Lidl. The role involves building relationships, leading category initiatives, and creating growth strategies. Ideal candidates will have strong category management experience and be data literate, focusing on strategies that influence shopper behavior and category growth. This opportunity offers competitive compensation and the chance to lead impactful category transformations.

Qualifications

• Experience in category management or customer management is essential.
• Ability to maintain strong relationships internally and externally is essential.
• Must be data literate, able to derive insights from data.

Responsibilities

• Create short- and long-term category strategies for Aldi and Lidl.
• Build influential relationships to deliver shopper and category solutions.
• Lead initiatives related to store layouts, range, and space allocation.

Skills

Category management

Customer management

Relationship building

Data literacy

Cross-functional teamwork

Tools

Category management tools

Job description

Job Description

Aldi and Lidl have transformed the UK market, with over 80% of shoppers visiting those stores every year. This means they provide a huge opportunity to unlock additional shoppers and snacking occasions and we’re looking for a dynamic Category Development Manager to spearhead our strategy with Aldi and Lidl.

You will also shape the overall channel strategy for discounters, and lead key strategic category initiatives across the wider category team.

Key Responsibilities

• Create short- and long-term category strategies for Aldi and Lidl, ensuring a strong understanding of the category growth drivers, shopper behaviours and levers for growth across the market and in these customers.
• Build strong and influential relationships externally and internally, focused on delivering shopper, channel, and category centric solutions so that Mars is viewed as THE trusted category expert
• Lead and influence customer thinking and execution of key initiatives such as store layouts, range and space allocation, location optimisation and best in class activation of Category products
• Support the creation and development of category growth opportunities for Aldi and Lidl and the wider discounter customer base, delivering against strategic initiatives including seasonal events, category fundamentals including assortment, space share and distribution, and Branded vs private label execution.

What are we looking for?

• Category management/Customer management experience - essential
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships both internal and external- essential
• Working in cross functional environment/team - essential
• Data literate, able to turn data into insights and actions - essential
• Experience of Category management tools - desirable but not essential
• Experience of developing strategies and leading transformational change - desirable
• Financially astute and proven business judgement with an understanding of the commercial impact of their own decision making - desirable