Category Development Manager, Kroger

Job Description :
Category Development Manager, Kroger

Location:

Cincinnati, Ohio

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. From global icons like Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Tanqueray to Smirnoff and Don Julio, we create brands consumers love. Bring your enthusiasm and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate and innovate. Together with dedicated people from all over the world, you’ll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter future.

Join us to create a career worth celebrating!

Looking for an experienced category manager who is skilled in both the tactical and strategic elements of building retailer relationships. This role will be responsible for supporting Spirits category strategy and providing recommendations to retailers through a fact-based approach: category assessment, consumer insights, assortment optimization, promotional planning and evaluation, space optimization, etc.

• Candidate will have a solid understanding of the business, financials, products/services, markets, and the needs of customers; become recognized as an expert in the Spirits category.
• Complexity is high and flexibility is critical in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• The role requires a significant level of collaboration and the ability to build productive relationships with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Deep understanding of category management practices and positive, proactive ways of working.
• Strong project management skills are essential.

• Manage a Category Management / Advisor relationship with a retail account, including assortment and shelf recommendations.
• Utilize various sources including syndicated data and retailer POS; research to solve current business issues, define category and consumer trends, and identify business opportunities. This analysis will be translated into fact-based recommendations and customer presentations.
• Delivery of standard category management practices: shelf management, promotion planning & analysis, pricing analysis, and business development projects.
• Creation and maintenance of category scorecards with proactive recommendations on an ongoing basis.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of fact-based actionable consumer and shopper insights relevant to customer needs.
• Assume expert role and ownership of assigned tools, processes, and tasks.

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience required, preferably Category Management experience in Consumer Packaged Goods or Adult Beverage Category.
• Highly prefer strong technical experience with advanced software skills relevant to the Category Management function - this includes space planning software (JDA), syndicated data systems (Nielsen, IRI, Spectra), shopper basket data, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Previous category advisor or customer interfacing roles required.
• Possesses strong project management, time management, and organizational skills.

Ability to travel 20%

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you, so that you’re supported to handle your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

We recognize and value performance, offering our people an attractive Rewards and Benefits package.

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere.

And creating an inclusive environment, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense.

This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you.

You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive environment that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mentalities, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world.

Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to new heights and build new ones as part of…