Senior Category Manager

Th e Cake Business Unit is a new and dedicated team with the ambition to transform pladis footprint in the cake category . The role of the Senior Category Manager, Cake is key to deliver our ambition, and will partner with our top 4 grocery customers to drive the sales of the Cake Category. This will be done through the provision of industry-leading shopper, retailer and market insights to enable robust decision making on category initiatives, product ranges, merchandising, business planning and promotions.

This is a crucial customer-facing role to achieve Category Leadership.

Reporting into the Head of Commercial, Cake , th e Senior Category Manager will inspire and influence their customers to implement growth driving category initiatives . By developing proximity and partnership with Grocery buyers and planners, they will thrive to establish pladis as the go-to category partner of choice, optimising Cake range, distribution, space, location, promotions and availability.

Customer Relationships : Build and expand our ongoing relationship with the Top4 retailers, broadening our engagement and becoming the go-to person for category advice & range reviews. This will include a detailed understanding of key decision-makers , customer strategy and goals to implement a successful contact strategy. The Senior Category Manager, Cake will work within their customers timeline and commercial calendar to identify and unlock category opportunities

Category Growth Plans : The Senior Category Manager, Cake will partner with the Cake Business Unit leadership team to develop our Cake category plans. These plan s will balance short-term returns will long-term initiatives and will be tailored by customer and will be brought to life is a simple and engaging way.

Category Fundamentals: This role will d evelop and implement initiatives to improve range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space (Macro, primary and secondary) for Cake, whilst making the category easier and more enjoyable to shop. Participation to the top 4 range reviews will be a must , to maximise ranging window opportunities and track progress v agreed metrics.

Analysis and Reporting: The Senior Category Manager, Cake will o bjectively evaluate Category performance and our customers risks or opportunities , and proactively communicat e recommendation to key stakeholders, internally and externally. Data will be turned into insights to improve customers and pladis ’ performance.

Key measures:

Participation to top 4 range reviews

Receptiveness from decision makers to implement category initiatives

Listing, distribution and space gains.

Agreed specific Category Plan metrics

AGS Score for category and for “Delivering Insights”

Bring your experience.

Robust Category Management experience gained in a FMCG manufacturing organisation .

Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, with previous participation to annual range reviews.

Story teller , with a bility to turn complex data sets into insights clear narrative, to communicate recommendations in a compelling way.

Comfortable with data, with broad numerical & analytical experience.

Strong communication , presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery

Good relationship building skills with partners

Some knowledge of; space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby

Ability to use Microsoft Office products

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic , courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis , winning and succeeding together

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, l ike every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.