Category Sales Manager

Kimberly-Clark; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark in the United States is seeking a Category Sales Manager to support the Kleenex brand and drive business plan development, DPSM and gap closure with Customer Development Sales teams and Brand partners. The role delivers Net Sales, OP, Category share, DPSM and trade management.

You will influence plans, communicate category strategies, and work cross-functionally to close gaps and reach national targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years Brand, Category and Customer management experience.
• Strong persuasive, sales and analytical skills.
• Experience in creating and managing sustainable customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Influence short- and long-term customer business plans to align with category and brand strategies and deliver financial results
• Drive business results as a subject matter expert and “Voice of Customer”, delivering programs grounded in insights and aligned to customer/channel needs
• Check & adjust brand and customer business plans in Annual Operating Planning process to close gaps and deliver financial targets
• Accountable for DPSM target development and delivery at a national level
• Follow an Insights to Execution framework by developing customer communication of category strategies, plans, initiatives and sales fundamentals (DPSM KPI’s – Distribution, Pricing, Shelving and Merchandising)
• Ability to assess business dynamics, identify gaps, develop and communicate corrective action plans to address gaps to national targets

Skills

Brand management

Category management

Customer management

Sales analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional®. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.

About You

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center.

As the Category Sales Manager, you will serve as subject matter expert and voice of customer/brand supporting our Kleenex® brand to drive business plan development, DPSM and gap closure with Customer Development Sales teams and Category/Brand partners. Delivers financial objectives of Net Sales, OP, Category Share, DPSM and Trade Management.

In this role, you will:

• Influence short- and long-term customer business plans to align with category and brand strategies and deliver financial results
• Drive business results as a subject matter expert and “Voice of Customer”, delivering programs grounded in insights and aligned to customer/channel needs
• Check & adjust brand and customer business plans in Annual Operating Planning process to close gaps and deliver financial targets
• Accountable for DPSM target development and delivery at a national level
• Follow an Insights to Execution framework by developing customer communication of category strategies, plans, initiatives and sales fundamentals (DPSM KPI’s – Distribution, Pricing, Shelving and Merchandising)
• Ability to assess business dynamics, identify gaps, develop and communicate corrective action plans to address gaps to national targets

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years Brand, Category and Customer management experience
• Strong persuasive, sales and analytical skills
• Experience in creating and managing sustainable customer relationships

Preferred Qualifications:

• Cross functional CPG experience

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

Total Benefits

We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com

Flex That Works at Kimberly-Clark

We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompassesthe experiences of our consumers.When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Employment is subject to verification of local policies.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies.The benefits/policy provided will be decided at Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion.

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