Category Manager at Talenttac

Key Responsibilities 

• Ongoing analysis of category trends and tactics, lead the development of retailer specific category reviews, assortment analysis, and promotional evaluations
• Develop recommendations to support category growth principles with concise insights from multiple data sources
• Identify key trade opportunities including maximizing in-trade opportunities (ranging, distribution, merchandising and visibility) as well as providing/driving ideas across regions and key accounts (through frequent trade visits)
• Provide support to the internal Brand and Key Account teams by conducting regular business analyses (with the focus on key strategic drivers and opportunities), presentations and merchandising solutions
• Assist in developing selling stories to help drive category principles
• Provide strategic recommendations on suggested product ranging (by customer) as well as distribution targets for NPD’s
• Delivering commentaries and sales analysis for monthly business review reports, pro-actively identifying business opportunities and issues
• Responsible for updating space management product / image library & IRi data characteristics
• Manage planograms & merchandising guidelines to support category shelving initiatives including the training thereof internally and externally
• Development and implementation of excel based templates and reports
• Training members of the cross functional team on data systems (Retailer POS, IRi)
• Leadership and development of the Category Management team
• Build effective working relationships and processes with the Sales and Marketing teams with the aim of driving incremental category and brand growth
• Manage cross-functional targets

Requirements

• Proven Category Management Expertise
• Advanced MS Excel, IRi Temple & Space Planning Skills
• Understanding shopper/consumer/market insights and how these drive category growth in retailers
• Understanding of competitor and market dynamics
• Excellent numeracy, analytical and data interpretation skills
• Understanding brand and key account strategies and interpreting these into customized category plans
• Implementing and evaluating category plans in-store
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build relationships and influence at all levels – internal and external
• Confident, assertive self-starter with a drive for results and highly motivated
• High level of initiative, able to drive projects independently
• Structured with organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

Qualifications/experience

• BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification
• Previous experience in a customer-facing Category Management role, FMCG environment (minimum 5 years)
• Prerequisites include advanced skills & working knowledge of external market data software and space planning software
• Knowledge of and advanced skills in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel and PowerPoint)