Category Manager; Grocery SE

Lindt is a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Position Purpose

The individual in this role will provide category analysis and business insights to US retailers in the areas of assortment, shelving recommendations and shopper insights to drive category growth and to help deliver against Lindt USA’s business objectives.

• Act as a consultant to develop and execute tailored category plans for assigned Lindt US retailers providing unbiased recommendations to drive overall category growth.
• Synthesize multiple data sources including Circana, Retailer Shopper Card Systems, and Shopper Research to craft compelling, concise and actionable selling stories.
• Utilize Blue Yonder space management software to analyze and validate retailer planograms and to develop strategic planogram recommendations to help assigned retailers maximize sales.
• Play a leadership role in conducting category management reviews: analyzing business issues and providing business insights and recommendations in the areas of assortment, merchandising, way finding and price partitions, to improve business results.
• Attend customer meetings to serve as the category expert by presenting analysis, trend information and category opportunities.

• Influence the development of strategic sales and category action plans through the sharing of knowledge gained from customer specific shopper card information.
• Provide sales managers with post event analytics and YOY implementation opportunities to drive the total seasonal confection category and Lindt brands in assigned accounts.
• Actively participate in weekly team calls or meetings with respective Sales managers and/or marketing.

• Serve as the expert on the assigned accounts by fully understanding shopper motivations, triggers and barriers through available data or research sources.
• Be the information expert in the analysis of syndicated data, shopper card data, household panel data, and customer point of sale data, leading to key insights and business recommendations in the areas of item distribution and assortment, pricing and promotion.

• Proficient computer skills, including extensive, advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills (Proficient in syndicated data IRI and/or Nielsen).
• Proficient in Category Management tools (eg Blue Yonder).
• Excellent written and oral communication.

• Category Management experience required.
• 3 years of analytical experience.
• 3 years’ experience with one or more of the following retailer specific data platforms (84.51, Scintilla, EYC, Circana Retailer Gateway).
• 2+ years’ experience in a FMCPG environment, preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience with Planogram software (Blue Yonder, Spaceman, Apollo).

• Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA Preferred.

Travel ~20% of time.

Total Rewards

Compensation Range: $-.

Lindt and Sprüngli is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.