Overview
We are looking to fill the CATEGORY MANAGER position to help us build our lineup of low-calorie, great-tasting products including SPLENDA® Sweeteners, Creamers, Water Enhancers, Shakes and more. The Splenda Brand is the #1 low-calorie sweetener brand loved by millions of across the world. With over nine billion packets of Splenda consumed every year, SPLENDA® is an iconic brand that consumers enjoy and use every day. As we grow our portfolio of offerings, we are looking for a talented Category Manager to help us uncover insights, guide business decisions, and build compelling data-based stories to drive distribution in the Grocery, Dollar, Drug, Military and Specialty channel.
SCOPE
In this role, the candidate will serve as category lead focused on the development and growth of the Splenda brand in all participating categories across the store serving our strategic grocery and specialty channels. This individual will support our internal and external partners by delivering actionable insights equipping our sales team with best-in-class category knowledge and selling stories to grow sales, gain market share and maximize profitability. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is proficient handling multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently.
The Category Manager will be the category subject matter expert on the business, competitive landscape, and relevant consumption dynamics. Reporting into the Director of Sales Strategy and Category Management, the Category Manager will be heavily involved in the customer development process and managing the go-to-market strategy of the key accounts in conjunction with field sales leads.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Category Strategy: develop and execute category and sales strategies aligned to company objectives and goals.
- Sales Collaboration: Work with Sales Managers and Directors with responsibility for Grocery, Dollar, Drug, Military and Specialty channels to create category review presentation and other sales materials that help drive business results.
- Customer Presentations: along with the account manager, present and sell customers on new items, competitive analysis, scan and panel insights, assortment recommendations and promotional plans.
- Assortment Optimization: design and build optimal assortment strategies for each retailer that helps meet consumer demand and to drive sales.
- Category/Competitive Analysis: Analyze in-market performance of all Splenda’s competitive categories including sales and share, new item performance, and promotional efficiency.
- Insights Reporting: Create and maintain insight-based POS tools for the field sales that will provide a full toolkit of materials to help them optimize their strategies and plans with their retail customers. Also, manage and distribute Sales communications (e.g., business unit updates, weekly sales reports, monthly sales/marketing updates and more)
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: work closely with sales, marketing, finance, and other cross-function partners to optimize sales strategies. Build strong and trusted relationships with the internal and external customers.
- All other duties as assigned.
SKILLS
- Strong analytical skills and story-telling abilities.
- Critical thinking skills with ability to take complex data and put into easy-to-digest formats to deliver best-in-class category knowledge to our top retail partners.
- Exceptional communication, organization, and relationship developing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results on time.
- Highly curious and comfortable in challenging the status quo.
- Be able to work effectively both independently and within a collaborative environment.
- Advanced experience with Microsoft Office programs including Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI and more.
- Strong experience with syndicated and panel data resources including Nielsen (Discover, Shelf Architect, RMO) IRI/Circana Unify, Numerator and Kantar.
- Experience in space planning tools strongly preferred (i.e., JDA)
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA preferred.
- 3-5 years Category Management or Sales Analytics experience
- Proven skill in planning, developing, and executing category strategies.
- Expertise in common CPG business tools (i.e., scan and panel data)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other data maintenance tools
- Data visualization design and manipulation skills strongly preferred.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Adept communication, organization, and relationship developing skills.
- This role will be customer-facing and candidate must show demonstrated success in influencing the sales process.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and interact with computers, telephone, and other electronic media.
- Must be able to stand and interact with customers for multi-day Conference and Exhibits.
- Must possess visual acuity to document company records.
- Must be able to lift 20 pounds.
About Heartland Food Products Group
Heartland Food Products Group is a dynamic, fast-growing organization committed to making a positive impact in the world. We are passionate about building brands and foster a results-driven culture that provides opportunities to learn and develop your career. When you join Heartland Food Products Group, you are joining a winning team to make a positive difference.
