Job Description:

Our client is a leading consumer goods manufacturer located in the GTA. Due to growth of their business they are now looking to add to their Category Management team with a Sr. Manager-Category Management

Description

The Sr. Manager - Category Management will drive Category Management principles throughout the Customer Development base.  Through the application of syndicated data analysis, provides Sales with compelling presentations and other information in support of sales growth.  Reporting to the Director of Marketing, this position provides the link between corporate initiatives in category management and the customer development team. 

The Sr. Manager - Category Management actively participates in the development of sales strategy by providing team management with complex analytics and insight to consumer dynamics that support a very aggressive growth plan.  This position interfaces with our customers at several levels of the organization – field sales management, regional management and national management.  Knowledge of and a working understanding of Nielson, Spectra and other syndicated information systems are required.

The Sr. Manager - Category Management participates in customer meetings as a “subject matter expert” in the field of category management.  Sr. Manager - Category Management proactively supports Marketing and Sales with data and analysis on business trends.

Responsibilities

• Development and implementation of Category Management strategy across our client's Canadian business 
• Providing leadership in consumer based category management initiatives
• Analyzing syndicated data and sales shipment reports in order to identify both opportunities and challenges for the brand, specifically for annual joint planning between Marketing and Sales
• Leading and coaching a Category Management Analyst
• Participating in key sales presentations to customers as the subject matter expert in category management practice
• Assessing the latest consumer purchasing information for selling applications presenting same to teams during meetings
• Strong working knowledge and execution of shelving standards and associated software tools, syndicated data and consumer panel data.
• This position is constantly faced with urgent requests for information and presentation support to drive growth in an extremely dynamic environment.
• Stay abreast of consumer trends in a widely diverse set of retail channels.
• To be familiar with market data and consumer shopping trends above our most knowledgeable customer in order to warrant credibility for our presentations.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree
• Working knowledge of syndicated data required
• Knowledge of and a working understanding of Nielson, Spectra and other syndicated information systems is required
• Demonstrated experience and record of achievement in
  • Category Management
  • Channel Strategy Development
  • Customer Plan Creation
  • Management of data sources
  • Providing leadership and training for team Analysts
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to a widely diverse audience, including the most senior levels of management
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to independently identify opportunities and solutions
• Demonstrated ability to assess root problems, understand elements and use information resources to construct solutions
• Demonstrated evidence of key retailer relationships
• Last 2 years experience in this role, with 7-10 overall years of experience in category management and/or sales and/or syndicated information

Preferred Qualifications

• Key account sales experience

Note* Only candidates with Consumer Packaged Goods experience will be considered for this role.