Category Manager - 12 Month FTC

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07393 766220 Our client is one of the largest chilled food groups in the UK who are now looking for a Category Manager to drive profitable sales growth through strategic category planning, insight and consumer understanding. Working on site 2-3 days and the rest remotely you will build and manage relationships with customers that means our client are the preferred supplier for proposed category opportunities.To drive sales and profitability through developing and managing category strategies based on category insight and consumer understandingTo influence customers to progress with proposed category opportunitiesTo develop and manage a proactive and innovative NPD strategy based on consumer insight. Working with the commercial and NPD teams to ensure opportunities are delivered to agreed timescales.To develop and manage strategic category promotional plans that drive positive consumer behaviour by sector.Generating and implementing short and long term category plans that deliver leading retailer performance and profitable sales development to the business.Joint involvement with account team in developing a customer Joint Business Plan for each category and driving customer market share position.Working closely with packaging suppliers and purchasing to ensure cost effective packaging solutions can be offered to the customer.Working with key retail contacts to effectively manage the customer marketing fund to deliver a strong ROI.Working with the account team to build realistic budgets that include the potential effect of category activityCategory ManagementDeveloping and leading strategic category plans for all categories, then reviewing and evolving these to fit with the retailer ranging windows.Leading category performance reviews focusing on opportunity identification – delivering insight and answering the “so what” that this insight raisesSupporting customer decisions with information and ad hoc requests (for example range reviews, strategy days, inductions, SKU performance analysis)Constantly challenging category assumptions and developing a fresh approach to utilising qualitative and quantitative data.Proactively challenging and evolving packaging concepts to fit consumer needsEnsuring all product launches and promotions have the correct marketing implementation and relevant supporting materials for strong execution and delivered on time every timeAdopt a proactive approach to category understanding including regular store visits, category analysis and ranging/pricing analysisLiaising with agencies to deliver comprehensive communication plan in line with category objectivesMonitoring PerformanceAssessing performance against strategic category/business plan targets using retailer data and EPOS to track v plan and Kantar to explain performance in the context of the market on a monthly basis. Segment level performance review using retailer data and EPOS to show performance and Kantar to identify and quantify opportunities on a quarterly basisLooking at longer term trends to identify opportunities and risks within the category and amending strategic projects and targets as required.12 we reviews on new SKUs, seasonal activity, range reviews, trials, delists and other category initiativesAssessing on-going trackers for new SKUs, trials and range reviewsPromotionsWorking in partnership with customers to develop a 12 month rolling strategic promotional programme by category that is driven by category insight and consumer objectives.Track, collate and issue market promotional information.Working with suppliers to develop products/ranges that fit with the category recommendations.Develop strategic supplier relationships that go beyond day to day negotiation and deliver true long term value to the customer through partnership.Working with marketing agencies (data, research and design) as needed ensuring briefs are accurate and well communicated and delivered on time and on budgetPeople;A key motivator within the account team providing strong directional input from a consumer/category perspectiveAbility to work closely with peers across the group to achieve consistency in group approach and allow skills sharing.Develop strong working relationships with Senior Commercial, Marketing and Development managers to ensure a balanced approach.For more information on this exciting role please get in touch or apply with your CV today.Defining the future in recruitment excellence
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