For our customer we are looking for a Category Manager Bakery Products. Our customer is a leading European food group that manufactures and sells high-quality food products. The headquarters of our customer are located in Ghent.
As Category Manager BP Retail Benelux you are responsible for defining and implementing the local channel marketing strategy & local category vision, together with the Central team. You bring acceleration to your channel through the implementation and activation of the channel marketing plans, including portfolio, brand and activation strategy, in close collaboration with the local sales & marketing teams. You provide category insights and proposals by analysing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market trends. From innovation to category plans you thrive for profitable business growth in your category.
TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- You are responsible for the development of local channel marketing strategy & implementation of activations based on Central channel plans, including brand, portfolio/ innovation, and activations.
- You define local channel performance KPI’s and ensure channel business objectives are reached. You also analyse and monitor category performance.
- You implement local channel activations (trade story, promos, trade ads…)
- You provide the right support for the local sales teams to accelerate in the channel (negotiations, account meetings…), as a strong sparring partner for sales.
- You present our category plans to our customers in order to create win-wins.
- You ensure synergies with the local Category Marketing Plans & local Brand Plans.
- You manage the local category P&L and propose optimisations.
- You connect to channel marketeer central to align strategies & translate of the strategies to the sales team (product expertise)
- You monitor competitors’ activations at customers, and transform observations into actionable insights.
YOUR PROFILE
- You have a master’s degree in business administration, Marketing, or related field.
- You have min. 5 years of experience within Trade Marketing or Category/Channel Management. Retail sales experience is considered a plus.
- You are passionate about good, tasty food and have a customer-centric mindset.
- You are data-driven and you bring optimisations based on fact-based analysis.
- You have strong business acumen, and know how to prioritize and focus for impact. Solid Project Management skills with an eye for details will be essential.
- You embrace change in pursuit of continuous growth for the organization and act as a catalyst for strategic project acceleration.
- You have excellent communication, presentation and convincing skills in English, Dutch and French.
- You combine analytical and strategic skills; you can work autonomous and easily set priorities.
- You are a great team player, and strong networker who enjoys cross-functional way-of-working, and like to bring people together behind a vision.
- You have a flexible attitude and can work in a rapidly changing environment.
- Knowledge of database management tool such as Nielsen, GFK, IRI… are considered an asset.
- Open to travel between Belgium and the Netherlands on a weekly basis (based in Gent)
THE OFFER
- You will join a “big little family” : their associates are the beating heart of the company – they bring the flavor to the organization.
- They value you as a person: they place great importance on giving their associates the freedom to shape their own professional journey. You will have flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home 50% of the time. They also invite you to join their sports and well-being activities!
- They care about your future and support your professional journey: They believe in the power of their associates and support their career aspirations by offering internal mobility and promotional opportunities.
- They make products for you to love: They are a team of passionate food enthusiasts. You can kickstart your day with a delicious croissant fresh out of the oven and enjoy tasty food in their company restaurant. In their cozy coffee corners, you will find healthy fruit baskets to enjoy your break to the fullest.
- In this function you will be able to have a real impact on the future of the PB category. You will be able to upgrade your skillset as a category manager and take ownership & your input will be valued at all levels of the company.
