Category Manager

Paulig Group; Nieuwegein; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LinkedIn Learning access

Work from home option

International team

Job summary

Paulig Group in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, is seeking a Category Manager to turn shopper, market and category insights into growth opportunities for customers. You will build partnerships with retailers and translate data into actionable recommendations to shape category strategy and tactics.

You will drive assortment, pricing and shelf placement decisions, collaborating with sales and marketing to deliver growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in category management or similar
• Ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration
• Fluent in Dutch and English; degree in business administration preferred

Responsibilities

• Build trusted partnerships with customers to identify growth opportunities
• Translate shopper and market insights into growth stories and recommendations
• Develop and utilize data analytics to optimize product assortments and pricing
• Collaborate with category, sales and marketing to execute growth initiatives

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Fluent Dutch & English

Education

University degree in business administration

Tools

Data analytics

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.

In this role, you will:

• 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.

Your key ingredients

You have 3+ years of experience in category management or in roles of a similar nature. To succeed in this role, you likely have:

• 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.

The flavours we bring

Working at Paulig, a family owned company, means being part of an international community with bold ambitions and an inclusive growth culture.

We offer

• 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.

If you have any questions about the role or the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to Niki Veltman ([e-mail]).

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