Future Leader Trainee - Category Analyst

Barilla Group; Hamar; Hybrid; NOK 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working up to 40% home office

Job summary

Barilla Group is launching a two-year Future Leader Trainee program with an initial assignment in Hamar, Norway, focusing on Trade Marketing and Category Management. You will work across internal teams and with external customers to build expert category insights and drive growth.

The program offers formal training, mentorship, exposure to field sales, and a key project managed by you. Two 12-month assignments will broaden your regional exposure within Central & Northern Europe.

Qualifications

• Academic background required, 1–3 years work experience preferred.
• Good command of Norwegian or Swedish and English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and data analysis software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop category knowledge for Norwegian market and customers.
• Prepare customer presentations for central customers.
• Analyze category performance and propose actions for growth.
• Conduct category and shopper studies with KAM and Sales team.
• Collaborate on planograms and central customer recommendations.
• Create 4Ps gap analysis and drive improvement plans.

Skills

Norwegian or Swedish

English

Microsoft Office

Analytical

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

AC Nielsen databases

Job description

Future Leader Trainee - Category Analyst

About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision. From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation. With 22 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready-made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of almost 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

Job Purpose

As part of our growth strategy in Central & Northern Europe we are looking for a Future Leader for a two-year trainee program in Sales & Marketing and the first assignment will be based in our office in Hamar, Norway, the second assignment could also be in one of our sites in Central & Northern Europe.

In this Graduate / Trainee Program you will be prepared to take over a leadership position within our organization in which you will influence and shape the future of Barilla. During this time, you will be a full member of the respective departments, be responsible for your own projects and you will support the manager in the day-to-day business activities. It also includes formal training, business mentorship, exposure to the field sales and additionally a key project which you drive to success. You will complete two assignments, one in Hamar and/or one international in the C&NE Region, of approximately 12 months each in any of the following three areas: Trade Marketing & Category Management, Consumer Marketing or Sales.

The first assignment will be in Trade Marketing as a Category Analyst.

As a Category Analyst, you will work together both with internal departments such as KAM, Trade, Finance and the Sales Force as well as with external customers as an expert to ensure that Barilla is seen as the preferred category partner, allowing the categories to grow. You are comfortable in Nielsen and to Analyze market data at customer and category level.

Key Accountabilities

• Gain expert knowledge of the categories, customers and consumers to continuously develop the business in the Norwegian market.
• Prepare customer presentations to central customers.
• Prepare the analysis of the category performance as well as our performance and recommend appropriate actions to drive profitable growth.
• Recommend and execute category and shopper studies and present those to central customers together with KAM.
• Work with central planograms, come up with recommendations for our central customers as well as our sales field.
• Build 4Ps gap analysis and work with KAM and Field sales to agree on clear and specific plans for improving our position in the market.
• Hold engaging presentations of all category findings/analysis internally as well as during our Sales conferences to our field Sales.

About you

You have an academic background, at least 1-3 years’ work experience and ideally have also an understanding of the FMCG industry. You have excellent skills in Norwegian or Swedish and English, and you are an expert user of all Microsoft office tools. Experience with AC Nielsen databases or equivalents is considered a plus.

As a person you are curious, open-minded and flexible and at the same time analytical and structured in your way of working. You are a self-starter, a continuous learner and able to work both independently and in a team. It is important that you are both able to involve the rest of the team as well as to share the category insights. We are looking for a person with lots of energy who places high value in personal relations, enjoys meeting with customers and building professional networks.

Our Offer

We offer a central role in a dynamic and motivated team with a positive, inclusive culture and the opportunity to work with two of Norway's most recognized brands. The role provides significant responsibility, room to influence key decisions, and excellent opportunities to grow within category management and marketing, as well as on the commercial side through continuous learning, feedback, and development programs. You'll also benefit from a flexible hybrid working model with up to 40% home office and the opportunity to contribute to national and international Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.

Application

At Barilla, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity in all its forms is valued and embraced. Our employment policies and practices are designed to ensure equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of age, race, color, citizenship, faith, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or characteristics of expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our commitment to equal employment stems from our unwavering belief that it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a fundamental driver of innovation and business success.