Senior Category Commercialization Manager

Perfetti Van Melle•Erlanger, KY

30d

About The Position

Perfetti Van Melle (makers of Mentos and Airheads!) is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum with global brands that are being enjoyed in more than 150 countries worldwide. We’re currently seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Senior Category Commercialization Manager to join our growing team.WHAT YOU WILL DOThe Senior Category Commercialization Manager leads innovation commercialization and ensures launch readiness in exciting confections category. The SCCM develops category level growth plans through collaboration with Marketing, Category, and Sales teams, and builds commercial sell-in tools and resources to drive growth and incrementality. Additional responsibilities include:

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required; MBA preferred.
10+ years CPG experience
Experience in Trade, Customer Planning, or a Field Sales role with customer exposure.
Strong understanding of channel and key retailer practices
Involvement with customer annual planning process
Ability to work effectively across departments — Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Category/Insights, Retail Growth Management
Demonstrated ability to influence across the organization
Matrix management and project management experience
Financial acumen - P&L management exposure
Thrives in fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while being highly organized and structured.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal / written with internal / external contacts.
Senior level relationship building skills. Ability to direct decision making.
Strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Responsibilities

Lead Innovation Commercialization & Launch Readiness Across Functions
Take new products from concept → launch-ready → retail sell-in → on shelf.
Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure readiness (Marketing, Sales, RGM, Insights, Supply Chain & Finance).
Represent innovation needs at channel level ensuring the right packs/products are developed to meet market needs.
Develop Category-Level Growth Plans
Work with Marketing to develop brand story, including what shoppers and customers care about.
Provide business intelligence for specific brand/products, be well versed on what is happening in the business.
Turn insights & category strategies into clear sales execution guidance.
Represent the Priorities of Sales and Marketing
Ensure brand plans fit retailer strategy & shopper behavior.
Guide sales on customer prioritization of new items and brand initiatives.
Represent customer and field voice in internal, cross-functional meetings.
Build Commercial Sell-In Tools & Resources
Partner with Marketing & Insights to build new item selling stories & brand stories.
Provide new item prioritization and merchandising direction.
Identify Opportunities to Improve & Adjust Performance
Evaluate Perfetti performance in market & recommend course corrections and/or expansion of success.
Apply learning to future new items and initiative to continually improve execution and results.