Senior Manager Global Category Management – Consumer Brands (F/M/D)

Freudenberg; Lombardia; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg is seeking a strategic, globally oriented leader to shape and drive the category strategy across markets. You will translate 3-year ambitions into priorities, develop growth platforms grounded in consumer and shopper insights, and lead initiatives with senior leadership.

Collaborating with Global Insights, Innovation and other functions, you will track performance and explore adjacent growth opportunities, including partnerships and potential M&A activities.

Qualifications

• University degree, ideally in business studies, economics or an MBA.
• Experience in FMCG marketing or commercial functions combined with strategy consulting or corporate strategy—ideally at a top-tier consultancy or in a strategic planning role.
• Proven track record in developing growth strategies, business cases and executive-level recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills in business analytics and market assessment, with the ability to turn data into insights.
• Advanced knowledge of FMCG marketing, sales and category management; local or regional marketing experience desirable.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including executive storytelling and presentations.
• Strategic, structured and hypothesis-driven mindset with a consumer focus.

Responsibilities

• Shape and drive the global category strategy and track progress against growth targets.
• Identify new growth opportunities and translate 3-year ambitions into clear priorities across product segments, channels and markets.
• Develop global category growth platforms and compelling trade stories rooted in consumer and shopper insights.
• Lead strategic category and marketing initiatives and present recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with Global Insights, Innovation and other key functions to identify consumer needs, market trends and future growth opportunities.
• Drive strategic planning and performance tracking across key category priorities.
• Explore new growth territories beyond the core business, including adjacent categories, partnerships and M&A opportunities.

Skills

Fluent English

Strong analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

University degree or MBA

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities:

• Shape and drive the global category strategy, setting strategic priorities through the Category Flywheel and tracking progress against key growth targets.
• Identify new growth opportunities and translate 3-year ambitions into clear priorities across product segments, channels and markets.
• Develop global category growth platforms and compelling trade stories rooted in consumer and shopper insights.
• Lead strategic category and marketing initiatives and bring forward recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with Global Insights, Innovation and other key functions to identify consumer needs, market trends and future growth opportunities.
• Drive strategic planning and performance tracking across key category priorities.
• Explore new growth territories beyond the core business, including adjacent categories, strategic partnerships and M&A opportunities.
  

Qualifications:

• University degree, ideally in business studies, economics or an MBA.
• Experience in FMCG marketing or commercial functions combined with strategy consulting or corporate strategy – ideally at a top-tier strategy consultancy, Big 4/Big 5 advisory firm or in a comparable strategic planning role.
• Proven track record in developing growth strategies, business cases and executive-level recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills in business analytics and market assessment, with the ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.
• Advanced knowledge of FMCG marketing, sales and category management, strong financial and commercial acumen and a solid understanding of consumer insights; local or regional marketing experience is highly desirable.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including executive-level storytelling and presentations.
• Strategic, structured and hypothesis-driven mindset with a strong consumer focus and the ability to inspire teams for transformation and growth.
• Fluent English; additional languages are a plus.