Category Manager

Overview
CATEGORY MANAGER. Member of the Business Development Team // Based in the Netherlands. For our Consumer Products Division, we are looking for a talented and experienced category manager to join the Business Development team as category manager hair. You will be responsible for our haircare and styling categories. The division is made up of the Skincare, Haircare & Styling, Coloration and Make-Up categories.

Each category has its own category manager. You will report into the Category Lead Hair who will manage, coach and support you.

For the role, you need to be solid, have strong communication skills to gain trust internally and externally and you are focused on results. We are looking for someone who is not afraid of a challenge and can make an impact.

Purpose of the role
As a Category Manager, your mission is to drive the growth of turnover and market share for your category across our retail partners. You act as the category and shopper expert, translating data into actionable strategies to optimize Shelf performance and support the successful launch of innovations.

Key Responsibilities

Market Analysis & Diagnosis (Data Expert)

Analyze monthly category and brand performance using market panels (Nielsen).

Identify key growth levers (Assortment, Promotion, Merchandising, Pricing) and market share opportunities.

Conduct continuous competitive benchmarking on competitors' innovations and strategies.

Assortment Strategy & Innovation Launches

Define and recommend the optimal assortment by store cluster and retail account.

Build compelling sales arguments to secure the listing of new product innovations with buyers.

Merchandising Vision & Visibility

Adapt international/regional merchandising guidelines to local market specificities.

Collaborate with merchandising agencies to create high-performing planograms (facings, shopper flow).

Business Partnership

Internally:
Partner with Key Account Managers (KAMs) to prepare annual market reviews and negotiations. Work closely with Marketing to align brand vision with retail reality.

Externally:
Cultivate a high-level strategic partnership with Retailer Category Managers. Act as a Trusted Advisor by co-developing long-term category growth plans aligned with L’Oréal strategy.

You Will Work Together With
This role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. To carry out this role successfully, you will work with:

Category lead, who is your manager to guide and support

Revenue Growth Manager hair, who will work on promo, pricing and format strategy for the category

Retailers, with whom you will work on category opportunities and shelf projects

Assortment manager, who will directly report to you and work on shelf visualization

(e-)Account manager. With whom you develop the optimal plan on retailer opportunities

Marketing team, together with Product Brand Manager you will look to new brands and white spots and with Retail Brand Managers you will develop the ideal shelf vision

CMI / CDMO team, to discuss shopper insights and Nielsen data

Zone to share knowledge and create strong shopper stories, based on international learnings

What qualities and education do you need for this position

Completed relevant WO Master's degree.

Preferably 1-3 years working experience

Good command of English in word and writing. Fluent in Dutch or French is a must.

You have a passion for category insights, data and are a strong stakeholder manager.

What do we offer?
When you start at L'Oréal, you get a great deal of responsibility from day one. To develop, we offer an introduction program and an individual training program. Training can be local or at the global headquarters in Paris. An enriching experience where you will meet international peers.

And Furthermore You Will Find With Us

An inspiring work environment with ambitious colleagues;

A healthy career perspective with good development and career opportunities;

A competitive salary which is adjusted on an annual basis in case of good performance;

Good secondary employment conditions, such as a 13th month, profit sharing, discount on medical expenses and a favorable pension scheme;

Discount on L'Oréal products

Nice extras such as various sporting company activities.

Finally, a great added value of working at L'Oréal is that you will be working with so many different people and functions. This offers you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge about different stakeholders.

Diversity
L’Oréal would like their personnel to represent the diversity of the Benelux society. We welcome everyone regardless of origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, philosophical or political conviction, disability, etc.

“A diversified workforce in every function and on all levels strengthens our creativity and our understanding of consumers and it enables us to develop and market products that are relevant.”

(Jean-Paul Agon, former CEO of L’Oréal)

How To Apply

Are you ready for this challenge and do you meet the conditions? Then apply quickly!

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