Category Manager

Paulig Netherlands B.V.; Nieuwegein; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning

Hybrid/flexible work

International team

Job summary

Paulig Netherlands B.V. is seeking a Category Manager to join our team in Nieuwegein, Netherlands. You will turn shopper, market and category insights into growth opportunities and actionable recommendations.

You will shape strategic direction and tactical execution, leveraging data sources to create value for retailers and shoppers. You will engage with customers, shoppers and the market to identify future growth opportunities, develop category strategies and drive category performance,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in category management or similar roles.
• Strong strategic and tactical business understanding.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.
• University degree in business administration or equivalent (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Build trusted partnerships with customers and proactively identify opportunities to accelerate category growth through fact-based recommendations, shopper insights and category expertise.
• Translate complex shopper, market and category insights into compelling growth stories that inspire action, strengthen customer decision making and unlock category growth opportunities.
• Develop and utilize data analytics to optimize product assortments, pricing strategies, and shelf placement to meet consumer and shopper demands and driving category growth and profitability.
• Promote strong collaboration between category management, sales, and marketing teams to identify and develop comprehensive category growth initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Fluent in English

Dutch language

Education

University degree in business administration or equivalent

Job description

At Paulig, we believe every meal, cup, and moment should be full of flavour — and that bold ideas can make the world a tastier, more sustainable place. As a house of iconic brands, we can make an impact that counts – and careers that matter. Now we’re looking for a category manager to join our passionate team and help us shape the future of food and beverages. You will be based in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands and report to the Regional Category Manager Central Europe and be part of a great team of people based in our locations across Europe. Your role in the blend As Category Manager, you will play a key role in helping Paulig become the most trusted category growth partner for our customers by turning shopper, market and category insights into growth opportunities and actionable recommendations. You’ll have the opportunity to shape both the strategic direction and tactical execution of the category. By leveraging multiple data sources, including shopper, retail, market and category insights, you will translate complex data into actionable recommendations that drive category growth. A crucial aspect of the role is developing initiatives that strengthen overall category performance and create value for both retailers and shoppers. You will proactively engage with customers, shoppers and the market to identify future growth opportunities, develop category strategies and help shape the category agenda through trusted partnerships and fact-based recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted partnerships with customers and proactively identify opportunities to accelerate category growth through fact-based recommendations, shopper insights and category expertise.
• Translate complex shopper, market and category insights into compelling growth stories that inspire action, strengthen customer decision making and unlock category growth opportunities.
• Develop and utilize data analytics to optimize product assortments, pricing strategies, and shelf placement to meet consumer and shopper demands and driving category growth and profitability
• Promote strong collaboration between category management, sales, and marketing teams to identify and develop comprehensive category growth initiatives that address consumer, shopper, and customer perspectives.

Key ingredients

You have 3+ years of experience in category management or in roles of a similar nature.

• Strong strategic and tactical business understanding
• Strong analytical capabilities combined with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations that influence decisions and drive category growth.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted customer relationships and influence across functions and organizational levels.
• Preferably holds a university degree in business administration or equivalent
• Fluent in local language and English

Benefits

• Continuous learning – access to LinkedIn Learning, and development programs.
• Flexibility – the office is our main workplace, but we also offer the possibility to work from home part of the week.
• A passionate, international team – diverse backgrounds that spark creativity and collaboration.

A Business case and assessments are part of the recruitment process for this position. If you have any questions about the role or the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to Niki Veltman ([e-mail]).

Want to learn more about working at Paulig and what we offer? Visit www.pauliggroup.com.

About Paulig Paulig is an international food and beverage company, growing a new, sustainable food culture – one that is good for both people and the planet. Paulig provides Tex Mex, snacks, coffees, world foods and spices. The company's brands include Santa Maria, Paulig, Conimex, Poco Loco and Zanuy, among others. In 2025, the company’s sales amounted to approximately EUR 1.39 billion. Paulig was founded in 1876 and is 100% owned by the Paulig family. The company has 2,700 employees in 13 different countries united by the purpose 'For a life full of flavour'. www.pauliggroup.com

At Paulig, we believe every meal counts. As an international player in the food and beverage industry and as a house of iconic brands, we can make an impact that counts – and careers that matter. Paulig is a family-owned food and beverage company, growing a new, sustainable food culture – one that is good for both people and the planet. Paulig provides all things tasty; Tex Mex, coffee, Asian food, snacks and spices. The company's brands are Paulig, Santa Maria, Conimex, Poco Loco and Zanuy. Paulig's sales amounted to EUR 1,39 billion in 2025. The company has over 2700 passionate employees in 13 different countries working around the purpose "For a life full of flavour". Read more: www.pauliggroup.com Join Paulig – For a life full of flavour.