Shopper and Category Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Shopper and Category Manager.

POSITION INFO:

Our client is looking for a Shopper and Category Manager.

Responsibilities

• Shopper & Category Insights Leadership
• Lead initiatives from development to completion, aligning with category vision and driving shopper conversion.
• Develop category and shopper insights for planning and segment challenges.
• Lead workshops to align Marketing, Customer Marketing, and Sales teams on seasonal plans.
• Cross-Functional Projects
• Manage research and insights for category development.
• Lead the evolution of Category Vision, Drivers, and Tactics.
• Collaborate on in-store activation initiatives with customer marketing.
• Annual Planning Contribution
• Provide shopper insights for new product strategies and long-term planning.
• Support Marketing with strategies for new products and brand initiatives.
• Ensure strategies are integrated into long-term category and brand plans.
• Pricing Strategy
• Execute pricing strategies to optimize revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Conduct regular reviews of price elasticity, competitive pricing, and customer segmentation.
• Continuously refine pricing strategies through innovation.
• Promotion Effectiveness
• Optimize promotional strategies and ensure alignment with cross-functional teams.
• Develop optimal promotion strategies for key customers and channels.
• Conduct post-promotion analysis and refine plans using a test-and-learn approach.
• Gross to Net Spend Analysis
• Guide analysts in tracking trade promotion policies and evaluating event ROI.
• Provide guidance on trade spend evaluations and projections.
• Merchandising Strategy
• Optimize shelving initiatives through planograms, guidelines, and training.
• Oversee space management, product image libraries, and data updates.
• Collaboration
• Work closely with field sales, marketing, and finance to ensure cohesive strategy execution.
• Team Leadership
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and training to drive category growth.
• Build effective relationships with Sales and Marketing teams.
• Lead team alignment to business objectives and streamline processes.

Key Skills

• Proven expertise in Category Management and shopper/consumer/market insights.
• Strong financial acumen and data interpretation skills.
• Revenue Growth Management (RGM) experience within the CPG industry (advantageous).
• Deep understanding of competitor dynamics, brand strategies, and category growth drivers.
• Effective communication and stakeholder influence skills.
• Ability to inspire change and drive new visions within the sales organization.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to lead complex quantitative analyses.
• Strong time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to work across departments and collaborate effectively.
• Self-starter with high initiative, able to drive projects independently under pressure.
• Previous experience in a customer-facing Category Management role within the FMCG environment (minimum 5 years).
• Advanced skills and working knowledge of external market data software and space planning software (DotActiv).
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, Circana, and Nielsen.

Qualifications

• BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification.