Category Manager

Essity; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13th month salary

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

11.5 ADV days

Job summary

Essity is seeking a Category Manager – Consumer Tissue to strengthen the Benelux Customer Marketing team. You will lead category strategies, translate shopper insights into activation plans, and collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Insights to drive growth across key customers and channels.

You will develop category reviews, optimize assortments and shelf plans, monitor KPIs, and contribute to annual business planning with a cross-functional team.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years FMCG experience in Category Management or related fields.
• Strong analytical capability with data analysis experience.
• Experience with planogramming tools (Spaceman) is a plus.
• Customer-facing experience with retailers is advantageous.
• Data-driven, proactive with strong stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies across key customers and channels.
• Translate shopper insights and market data into activation plans.
• Lead category and range reviews with retailers.
• Provide assortment, shelving, and merchandising recommendations.
• Define and monitor KPIs; track performance and take corrective actions.
• Build relationships with retailer category managers and buyers.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Nielsen IQ data

Dutch language

Communication skills

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Spaceman

Job description

Hygiene and health are more important than ever. At Essity, we break barriers to well-being and make a positive impact on people and society. With leading brands such as Edet, Tempo, TENA, Libresse, Okay and Demak’Up, we continuously strive to improve everyday life. We are currently looking for a Category Manager – Consumer Tissue to strengthen our Customer Marketing team in the Benelux.

About the Role

As Category Manager, you are the expert and lead contact for the Consumer Tissue category, driving category growth with customers and internally. You act as the key interface between Sales, Marketing, and Insights, translating shopper and market insights into actionable strategies. You will operate in a dynamic team consisting of Category Managers, NRM Manager and Online & Offline activation manager, working closely with (Key) Account Managers and Brand Teams.

What you will do

• Develop and implement category strategies and visions across key customers and channels
• Translate shopper insights, market data, and brand strategies into customer-specific activation plans
• Lead category reviews and range reviews with retailers
• Provide assortment, shelving (planograms), and merchandising recommendations
• Define and monitor category KPIs, track performance, and define corrective actions
• Analyse prices and promotions, and provide recommendations for optimization
• Build strong relationships with retailer category managers and buyers to deliver joint value
• Act as a core member of the brand team (Marketing, Sales, Supply) for Consumer Tissue
• Contribute to the annual business planning process, including category growth plans
• Monitor performance against KPIs and develop action plans to achieve targets
• Bring proactive insights and opportunities based on data and shopper understanding
• Leverage retail (Nielsen IQ), consumer panel, retail data and POS data to generate insights
• Develop reports, dashboards, and category scorecards
• Identify growth opportunities through trend analysis, OOS analysis, and competitive tracking
• Translate insights into clear recommendations and compelling selling stories
• Provide input into consumer pricing strategy and scenario planning
• Define promotion guidelines and mechanics that drive category growth
• Support range prioritization and portfolio optimization
• Justify shelf space allocation with data-driven arguments
• Lead or support NPD launches and relaunches in your category
• Develop customer-specific trade stories, presentations, and launch toolkits
• Ensure successful execution of innovations in-store
• Coordinate with internal teams and agencies for implementation

Who You Are

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field 2–5 years of FMCG experience, preferably in Category Management, Customer Marketing, Sales, or Insights
• Strong analytical capability with experience in Nielsen IQ / retail data analysis
• Experience with planogramming tools (e.g., Spaceman) is a strong plus
• Customer-facing experience with retailers (grocery, drug, or pharmacy) is advantageous
• Highly data-driven, proactive, and opportunity-oriented
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Fluent in Dutch and English, French is a plus
• A shopper and customer-first mindset
• Ability to translate data into action
• Strong ownership and project management skills
• Commercial acumen and growth mindset
• Collaborative spirit with a hands-on attitude

What We Offer

Competitive compensation package including: 13th month salary, Bonus scheme Attractive pension plan, 11.5 ADV days (full time). Opportunities for growth and development within Essity. The chance to make an impact in a purpose-driven organization

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. Our expertise began with the acquisition of the Swedish company Mölnlycke in 1975, through which our roots stretch back to 1849. Today, our sustainable innovations from globally trusted brands, designed for everybody and every body, care for the well-being of 1 billion people in 150 countries every day. Working at Essity is not just a career but a chance to make the world healthier, safer, and more hygienic. We innovate for good to break barriers and contribute to shaping a healthier future. At Essity, we have a people-first approach where every career is as unique as the individual. We empower employees to excel together and reach their full potential through a winning culture driven by a powerful purpose. Our performance-orientated environment motivates employees to think differently and embrace challenges so we can continue improving lives, every day through better hygiene and health. We provide a sustainable work-life based on flexibility for both employees and employers. We are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in everything we do. It is the key to our success in creating an inclusive, collaborative, and caring company culture where you can be you with us. Our purpose of Breaking Barriers to Well-being, enables customers and consumers to lead fuller lives at all stages of life. Our leading global brands include TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa are sold in 150 countries. I In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. We are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. If you want to join a company where dedication to people is powered by innovation, welcome to Essity!