Category Manager, Club & All Other Value

Mars•Chicago, IL

8d•$108,160 - $148,720•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for managing category leadership solutions for Club/AO Value, focusing on the Mars Snacking business including Chocolate Candy, Non-Chocolate Candy, Gum, Mints, Snacks and Seasonal. This role is expected to provide fact and insight-based solutions that drive growth for the category within the business. Utilizing shopper insight, opportunity identification and full understanding of products, assortment, pricing, placement, shelving, promotion, and merchandising, this role is the primary insight provider for our confectionery businesses across the marketplace. This role will work closely with internal and external partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
3-5 years of experience in Sales or Category Management, within CPG and/or retail
1 year of business analytics experience
Experience working with syndicated data software (i.e., 1010, IRI or Nielsen)
Experience working in Assortment Planning or Space Management Software (i.e. Apollo, Intercept, etc)
Experience with promotional / non promotional strategy development
Strong problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills
Solid written, verbal, and presentation skills
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree
5+ years of experience in Sales or Category Management
2+ year of business analytics experience
Previous experience in managing the Confectionery businesses
Solid knowledge of Shopper Insights and Marketing Research and Strategy
Experience in project development and partnering with large strategic retail customers
Advanced data mining experience including shopper loyalty card and household panel data

Responsibilities

Create and plan category leadership solutions that deliver profitable sales growth for Club/AO Value across all business segments. These solutions should include shopper and category insights across: products/ assortment, placement, shelving, merchandising, pricing, and promotions.
Where appropriate, manage and deliver against the responsibilities of the Category Captaincy/Advisory process in partnership with Club/AO Value.
Influence Club/AO Value by identifying specific opportunities, assist with any research and lead projects to deliver category leadership solutions benefitting both retailers and MWC.
Influence Annual Account Business Planning at Club/AO Value , through full partnering with sales team, by providing actionable category insights and solutions that support category leadership objectives for customer, company and category
Identify specific research opportunities (shopper, consumer, etc.) to bring new learning to category leadership solutions.
Execute all agreed to category leadership solutions with Club/AO Value to include success measures and detailed follow through
Evaluate/ monitor all customer category leadership solutions, turn analysis into recommended action and continually improve to be more effective and efficient for category.
Leverage insights and resources through the utilization of a broad range of data sources, market research findings, tools, analyses, and technology to continually bring new shopper ideas to selected retailers and Mars; incorporate in all category solutions for selected retailers.