Category Development Manager - Aldi Lidl (12 Month Contract)

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Slough; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food company is seeking a Category Development Manager to spearhead strategy efforts with discounters like Aldi and Lidl. The role involves creating short- and long-term category strategies, building relationships, and executing key initiatives to drive category growth. Ideal candidates will have strong category management experience and the ability to work cross-functionally. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence shopper behaviors and channel strategies in the UK market.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management or customer management.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Create category strategies for Aldi and Lidl.
• Build influential relationships to deliver shopper-centric solutions.
• Lead execution of category initiatives.

Skills

Category management experience

Relationship building

Data literacy

Cross-functional teamwork

Tools

Category management tools

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