Manager Category Strategy

Universal Robina Corporation; Quezon City; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Robina Corporation in the Philippines seeks a Category Strategy Manager to lead the strategic direction for assigned categories within Trade Marketing - Bakery. The role collaborates with Brand Marketing and Channels to align plans with equity and channel dynamics.

You will represent Sales in Category tribe discussions, manage forecasting engagements, and drive NPD, inventory management, and performance analysis to accelerate business growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Economics, or related field.
• 7–10 years of relevant FMCG sales, trade marketing, or category management experience.
• Proven track record in strategy development, planning, and program execution.
• Experience in new product launches, forecasting, and inventory management.
• Strong data analysis, research interpretation, and financial management skills.
• Leadership experience and ability to develop teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical skills, and cross-functional influence.
• Proficient in MS Office; familiarity with Nielsen, Power BI or analytics tools.
• Ability to collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Results-oriented with ownership and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies, plans, and tactics aligned to business and brand plans.
• Review performance and data to identify opportunities and interventions.
• Lead New Product Development channel plans with Brand and Channels.
• Lead NPI evaluations and ISQ reviews with Channels Strategy Lead.
• Provide sales perspective in forecasting and manage inventory.
• Own budget governance for category programs.
• Serve as knowledge center during Sales Engagements.
• Develop shopper understanding through research and studies.
• Identify priority channels and manage trade move-out plans for aging stock.
• Ensure team health and development through performance plans.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Leadership

Forecasting

Category management

NPD

Inventory management

Financial management

MS Office

Power BI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Economics, or related field

Tools

Nielsen

Power BI

Job description

Job Description:

Department

Trade Marketing - Bakery

Employee Type

Probationary

Grow Beyond UR Job with URC! Create UR journey in a workplace where your growth goes beyond UR job. Thrive in an environment filled with fun, collaboration, and fulfillment as we delight everyone with good food choices.

Universal Robina Corporation is looking for a Category Strategy Manager.

Responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of assigned categories. This includes but not limited to developing and monitoring of the Category Plans anchored on shopper insights to ensure business growth achievements. Collaboratively engages with Brand Marketing and Channels to ensure that plans are aligned to equity and channel dynamics. Acts as the primary representative of the Sales department in the Category tribe and Forecasting Engagements as well as representing the assigned Category in critical Sales Engagements

What are the Roles and Responsibilities?

• Strategy and Program Creation
• Develop category sales strategies (merchandising, distribution, promotions, pricing), plans, and tactics based on the Annual Company Business Plan and Brand Plans for assigned categories.
• Regularly review category performance, internal/external data, and research, recommending appropriate interventions to address identified opportunities.
• New Product Launch and Management
• Lead the collaborative development and assessment of the NPD (New Product Development) Channel Plan together with Brand and Channels.
• Review and confirm ISQs in partnership with the Channels Strategy Lead.
• Lead NPI (New Product Introduction) evaluations at specified periods.
• Forecasting
• Provide sales perspective in Forecasting meetings to incorporate trade and operational dynamics.
• Analyze sales trends, historical performance, and causals, converting them into actual forecasts.
• Review current forecasts and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Inventory Management
• Approve team recommendations on equitable distribution of critical SKUs.
• Review and recommend trade move-out plans for aging stocks in the warehouse for assigned categories.
• Category Champion
• Identify priority channels for assigned categories.
• Act as the knowledge center of the category during Sales Engagements.
• Engage in research and studies to continuously improve shopper understanding within the category.
• Financial Management
• Perform cost analysis for category programs and initiatives.
• Manage and approve budgets for business development or revenue-generating programs of assigned categories.
• People Development
• Ensure the team's organizational health, individual performance, and development plans.
• Identify individual learning priorities and create action plans to address these.

What are the Qualifications?

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Economics, or any related field.
• At least 7–10 years of relevant experience in Sales, Trade Marketing, or Category Management within the FMCG industry .
• Proven track record in strategy development, category planning, and program execution .
• Experience in new product launches, forecasting, and inventory management .
• Strong background in data analysis, research interpretation, and financial management .
• Leadership experience in managing and developing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills .
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities .
• Proficient in data-driven decision-making and category performance tracking.
• Strong communication and presentation skills , able to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with data tools such as Nielsen, Power BI, or similar analytics platforms is an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.
• Results-oriented, with a sense of ownership and accountability.

NOTE: Universal Robina Corporation does not collect fees throughout our recruitment process and does not collaborate with any travel agency or third party to provide accommodation or other services to job applicants. All URC recruitment processes happen in our respective offices or plants. Recruitment processes are only carried out by our Talent Acquisition teams with an official corporate email address.

Experience Range Range (Years)

6 - 10 years

Job posted on

2026-03-10