Category Development Manager page is loaded Category Development Manager Locations: Chiswick ParkTime Type: Full TimePosted On: 9 Days AgoJob Requisition ID: JR26593Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient, and positive. We expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration, and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.Why join our team?The pladis Category Team is a focused and dedicated team with a clear ambition to be seen as the category authority by our customers. The role of the pladis Category Management team is to help our retail customers and pladis grow sales of snacking products through the provision of industry-leading shopper, retailer and market insights. These enable robust decision making on product ranges, merchandising, business planning and promotions.What will this role achieve?Reporting into the Category Controller, this Category Development Manager is accountable for providing category leadership and developing and executing plans that deliver category growth specifically within the Grocery sector. The successful candidate will develop a working relationship with the Buyers of key retailers with a view to becoming the go-to category partner of choice, optimising Biscuits range, distribution, space, location, promotions and availability.Key results?Customer Relationships: Create an ongoing relationship with our retailers, broadening our engagement and becoming the go-to person for category advice & range reviews. Develop a detailed understanding of key contacts, their strategy, goals and calendar to proactively identify opportunities for the Category.Category Growth Plans: In conjunction with the Category Controller, build a Category Growth Plan that identifies new ways to unlock consumption and purchase for the Biscuits category.Category Fundamentals: Develop and implement differentiated strategies and tactics for focus categories & customer(s) that improve range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space.Analysis and Reporting: Interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into useful insights communicated regularly to focus customer(s).Continuous Improvement: Embrace the spirit of continuous improvement and share best practices on an ongoing basis via relevant team forums.Brand Champion: Work closely with the Brand Marketing, Innovation and NRM teams to ensure that there is a clear category, consumer, shopper and retailer rationale for our brands.What do you need for this role?Commercial and/or Revenue Management or Category experience gained in a FMCG manufacturing organisation, consultancy or agency.Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background. Min 2 years category management experience.Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market.Ability to turn complex data sets into clear insights and communicate recommendations positively.Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery.Good relationship building skills with partners.Some knowledge of space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby.Ability to use Microsoft Office products. Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe - and this diversity is our phenomenal strength. We're an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone's distinctive qualities and perspectives. About Us pladis is one of the world's fastest growing snacking companies and home to much loved brands including McVitie's, GODIVA and Ülker. pladis also owns regional brands Jacob's, Go Ahead, Flipz, Turtles, BN, Verkade and many more products across sweet and savoury biscuits, wafer, cake and chocolate.Formed in 2016, pladis is the proud steward of over 300 years of family baking and confectionery experience. The expertise of our 16,000-strong global workforce spans 27 bakeries across 11 countries and is united by our purpose: to 'bring happiness with every bite'.