Senior Category Development Manager

Description Overview

If you spend hours obsessing over why someone buys what they buy and what made them do it then you’re one of us. 
If you have hundreds of photos on your phone of supermarket fixtures, look at online shops for fun and you can appreciate the beauty of a scatter chart, then you’ve got the attitude you need for this role.

We’re looking for someone who’s spent at least the last 5 years developing and leading an account relationship within Category Management, and has a strong commercial background in the UK FMCG market across all channels, including eCommerce.

You will be results focused and will have demonstrated strong influencing and leadership skills. 

Scope of the Role

• Support the development, refresh and execution of the 3 Year Category vision for the total Healthcare category, identifying ways to unlock consumption and shopper behaviour.
• Create bespoke plans and effectively execute with the Account Teams; bringing it to life in a simple and compelling way that inspires your customer(s) to believe in the growth potential of their categories, aligned to their strategic goals and with a clear and achievable Size of Prize.
• Collaborate with insight colleagues to deliver in depth shopper understanding and create robust shopper-based recommendations.

• Develop and execute differentiated strategies and tactics that maximise range, distribution and merchandising opportunities for each retailer, making the Healthcare category easier and a more engaging place to shop. 
• Objectively track and evaluate Category and retailer performance, identifying risks or opportunities to the portfolio and proactively communicating suggested actions.
• Own the setting and delivery of annual sales fundamentals (4Ps) targets along with CSM colleagues and work collaboratively with sales to ensure JBPs build on these goals.

• Own key customer’s range review process, making independent ranging decisions to fuel mutual category growth. Looks to find ways to improve the Range Review process and reporting, ensuring key stakeholders within the business are aligned and informed at all stages.
• Effectively interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into actionable insights delivered in a compelling way to both internal and external customers.
• Keep up to date with relevant industry news, know the grocery and pharmacy retail landscape, know your customer and their competitive set, and most of all know your numbers.

• Deliver monthly reporting that gives your retailer and Perrigo a competitive edge. Deliver more than just charts and headlines.
• Own the day to day Category relationship with the customer at Buyer, Senior Buyer and Senior Category Merchandiser level and develop relationships at Trading Director level.
• Exemplify a ‘Customer First’ mindset and build close working relationships with key internal and external customers through developing a detailed understanding of key contacts, their strategy, goals and annual calendar.

• Embedded as part of your customer’s extended team, you will act as a trusted advisor representing the needs of the shopper and total category growth at all time.
• Line management and development of 1 Category Manager.
• Support the development of the Category Management and CSI team by sharing best practice and delivering formal and on the job training. Advocate for Category Management and develop a Category mindset across the wider business.

• Willing to challenge others and be challenged; doesn’t back away from difficult conversations and negotiation.
• Delivering growth for our Retailers, value for our Shoppers and share for Perrigo
• Creating dynamic plans for every channel, making strategic choices to win in the right places.

• You put the Shopper first, know them the best and deliver them a best in class experience.
• Consistently holding yourself and others accountable for excellence and taking ownership of our business.
• Developing yourself and our team though learning, challenging and caring.

Experience Required

• Previous Category Management experience is required, ideally with several years of managing a top tier account within retail.
• Previous People management experience essential.