Overview
We have an opportunity to hire a Category Manager who has a minimum of 3 years working experience within a Category role and has ideally worked on “Own Label” products or in FMCG.
JOB PURPOSE : To grow NWF and our customers sales, profit and share by implementing strategic initiatives based on Financial, Category and Consumer Insight.
Responsibilities
CORE BEHAVIOURS & RATING:
• Pace and productivity
• Resilience
• Honesty, integrity & authenticity
• Sparkle and gravitas
• Attention to detail
• Time management and prioritisation
• Commercially savvy
• Story telling and effective comms
• Relationship building and influencing
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal:
• Product Director
• Head of Sales
• Development, Sales and Quality Teams
External:
• Customers
• Data Agencies
• Creative/Design Agencies
INPUTS/OUTPUTS:
• Customer monthly meetings
• Product Submissions
• Insight Presentations
• Range / Space / Merch plans
• Trade Plans
• Channel Plans
Key Responsibilities
1. Be the category lead for ALDI, Morrisons and Sainsburys driving our relationships forward while remaining the custodian of the consumer
2. Cultivate strong customer relationships, acting as the “go to” contact to provide accurate and consistent category advice
3. Showcase NWF as the expert supplier in our categories
4. Provide a full category management service for accountable customers
5. Proactively identify range gaps and/or untapped needs to create strong category proposition
6. Engage, align and galvanise the Sales and Development to help you deliver the category recommendations
7. Identify and build strong ranges and selling stories to land recommendations with customers creating a win:win:win position for NWF, Customer and Consumer.
8. Own the cadence and socialisation of insight throughout the business
9. Support the Sr Category Manager in crafting and delivering the Category Visions, Category Standards, Annual Schedule, Research Plans and upskilling the wider business
10. Deputises for Senior Category Manager
Key Accountabilities within the role will include
11. Customer Range Reviews/Submissions (Summer/Winter)
12. Implementation of Customer Category Plan
13. Customer Trade Plan Recommendations
14. Customer Monthly Performance Reviews
15. Category Reporting/Newsletter
Qualifications
Person Specification:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience within Category Management
• Degree level education (business, marketing, etc preferable)
• Ability to analyse data to deliver true insight that drives recommendations and action
• Demonstrable success in implement category initiatives with retailers
• Desirable - proficient in the use of IRI, Kantar, Dunnhumby, Nectar
• Essential - proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (particularly PowerPoint & Excel)
• Essential - valid driving licence
Natures Way Foods began in 1994, when the Langmead brothers set up a small, bagged salad operation. Their big idea was to combine the freshest lettuce with the latest food manufacturing technology. Since then, we’ve grown by expanding our customer base and moving into new fresh, convenient categories and product areas.
Our culture is inclusive, and our people are diverse spanning 29 different languages. We operate four manufacturing facilities capable of producing over 326m units per year. Building on previous success, this year is set to be another exceptional year for our organisation. It is an exciting time to join Natures Way Foods as we are expanding our production lines and there is genuine opportunity to develop your skills and progress within the organisation.
If you feel that you have the relevant experience and mind set for the position, we would love to hear from you. Please apply in the first instance.