Product Manager - Retail

Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG; Banbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global cleaning solutions provider in Banbury is seeking a candidate to develop and implement category strategies, ensuring successful product launches and managing pricing. The ideal candidate will have experience in category planning and FMCG, along with strong communication skills to influence stakeholders. This role offers benefits including a discretionary bonus and comprehensive health coverage.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Discretionary Bonus Scheme

25 days annual holiday plus bank holidays

Critical Illness Cover

Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience of category planning, pricing strategy, project management, and competitor insight/analysis.
• FMCG/Consumer product and marketing experience in a fast-moving business.
• Confident and strong communicator with a planned and structured approach.
• Ability to build relationships both internally and externally.
• Innovative individual who can challenge the norm.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategy plans aligned with business objectives.
• Create launch plans for new product launches.
• Manage product information creation and data entry.
• Collaborate with sales teams for market opportunities.
• Conduct annual category reviews and present findings.

Skills

Category planning

Pricing strategy

Project management

Competitor analysis

Strong communication

Relationship building

Innovative thinking

Job description

Developing data and insight led 1, 3 & 5 year category strategy plans, in line with wider business and specific category objectives. Measure and report performance to senior management, both in the UK and Internationally.

Creation of comprehensive launch plans for all new product launches in the UK, leading cross departmental teams to guarantee successful market entry.

Developing product and price positioning, lead statements, KSP’s, features & benefits, and point of difference for all existing and new products.

With the support of Product Management Coordination, track and analyse sales performance of selected product categories, using data such as Sales-in, EPOS, GFK, ATV & margin to make product, promotion and marketing recommendations.

Carrying out annual category reviews ahead of updating and presenting new strategy and plans to key internal stakeholders in a timely manner.

Working closely with the Online and Retail sales teams to understand market and retailer opportunities & challenges. Be proactive with recommendations based on research and/or analysis as well as category plans.

Managing the creation of all copy and content for Kärcher Consumer categories and products. Liaising with the wider Marketing teams to ensure the assets created support the relevant channels, and overall product strategy.

Document, and make decisions / recommendations from extensive competitor research. Support the wider Product and Marketing team with desktop, field and product test analysis. Report findings and recommendations to wider business and internationally.

Oversee and manage all product information creation and data entry relating to owned categories, supporting colleagues in other departments with such information where required.

Being a product and category champion, available to deliver presentations, training and insight to internal and external stakeholders where required.

Liaising closely with Head Office (Germany) colleagues, particularly Product Management, providing relevant feedback and building relationships to influence wider company decisions.

Working closely with the logistics and stock control team to manage shipping, stock and forecast requirements in line with category plans.

Proactively attend retailer and internal meetings to influence and support category performance objectives.

Responsibilities and Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of category planning, pricing strategy, project management and competitor insight/analysis
• FMCG/Consumer product and marketing experience in a fast-moving business
• Confident and strong communicator with a planned and structured approach
• Ability to build relationships both internally and externally
• Innovative individual who can challenge the norm

Additional benefits include:

• Pension Scheme
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days annual holiday + bank holidays (increases with service)
• Critical Illness Cover and Life Insurance

Kärcher UK is an Equal Opportunities Employer who seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or marital status. Kärcher UK will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Kärcher UK encourages applications from minorities, women in positions where they are under-represented, and people with disabilities. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.