Associate Category Strategy Manager - Foods

Unilever • Englewood Cliffs, NJ

284d • $69,360 - $104,040

About The Position

This position supports and drives growth for Unilever's Foods categories and its trade customers. This person interfaces with several key organizational functions (Brand Teams, Field Category Management, Consumer & Shopper Insights, Sales, and Shopper Marketing) to design, facilitate and implement national Category Management Strategies, processes and tools for field sales and our retail customers. This role will support our Condiments and Cooking Aids + Mini Meals businesses. Additionally: Identify and understand industry, category, shopper and consumer trends to proactively seek and recommend shopper-led solutions Convert category insights and strategy into strategic merchandising strategies with actionable recommendations for customers Integrate Category Management and Shopper Insights information into Customer Business Planning materials Development of Category Management strategies providing insights and retail solutions, specifically addressing assortment and shelving.

Requirements

• Minimum of BA/BS degree, MBA a plus
• 2-4 years consumer product goods industry experience with background in Sales, Consumer Insights or Category Management
• Foods experience a plus
• Specialized Training: Syndicated data sources, i.e. IRI, Numerator, loyalty card data a plus
• Merchandising software, JDA Space Planning a plus
• Adept at analyzing and utilizing Consumer/Shopper Insights in Category Management sales stories and Category Management strategies

Nice To Haves

• Strong analytical/data interpretation capabilities
• Creating compelling sales stories & strategies that impact the bottom line
• Objective analytical power - lead with a Category growth POV
• Strategic Influencing & Leadership
• Excellent oral/written and presentation skills; ability to tailor your communication style across a multitude of disciplines and leadership levels
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, professional relationships across a highly complex organization
• Energized by collaborating with cross-functional partners on new and creative ways to solve business problems
• Market orientation - an outward focus toward the customer/consumer to maximize business results

Responsibilities

• Serves as liaison between field category management and HQ brand teams to facilitate the field execution of category initiatives with major customers
• Consults closely with brand teams to secure alignment around retail environment realities prior to innovation launches
• Provide guidance, leadership and category/brand expertise to field category management
• As a Category expert, will own and present Category 101's for new associates as well as customer buyers
• Works with Shopper Insights and Consumer Insights Managers to integrate shopper research and understandings into category management initiatives/strategies
• Assists in training, distribution and execution of category management tools field teams
• Challenges Multi-faceted business challenges that require interaction with various groups across organization
• Flexible mindset required to adapt to the nuances across retailers, channels and key stakeholders
• Ability to establish strategic priorities within the business unit in an environment with multiple stakeholders competing for your time
• The ability to decompose a business situation and apply the appropriate category management tools to maximize business results

Benefits

• Health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage)
• Retirement savings benefits
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Parental leave
• Sick leave
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Access to numerous voluntary benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Food Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree