The purpose of the Customer Category Manager role is:
The Customer Category Manager is an integral member of the IFP Modern Trade Commercial team within the Sales function. This Member will make a strong contribution to a high performing Commercial team and culture within KC. They will be pivotal in leading the business to build category growth with key retail partners where they will act with exclusivity and a high degree of confidentiality.
You will be responsible for understanding what is happening in the Category within Modern Retail Customers. You will be required to leverage the insights to help develop clear category of stories and plans for the customers, and you will work closely with the National Category Manager.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES:
STRATEGY:
External Focus: Lead the execution of the 12 months Category Plan, grounded in insights and validated by Retailer engagement. Build expertise in how the retailer works on category development and helps educate KC SA on the best way to dovetail our plans into the category objectives. This will come through a clear articulation of the category growth drivers that underpin the plan.
Internal Focus: Forges strong Retailer partnerships from a Category perspective so KC SA is seen as a thought leader in this key space. Support the development of the Category Review story and key Customer engagement meetings.
Work with the National Category Manager, RGM lead and customer teams to help present key NPI that fit within the context of what the Retailer is trying to achieve with their category vision. Contribute to the achievement of KC SA's Annual Plan, by executing the Y1 category plan with the Customer & Marketing Teams.
FINANCIAL:
Tactical & Strategic Pricing
Lead the development of shelf guidelines with a 12-month focus to achieve the categories growth objectives
Partner with RGM, National Category & Marketing teams on Strategic Category Plans across both the short and long-term.
CUSTOMER / CONSUMER:
Objective Category Expert to the Retailer via insights and objectivity and engaging with the retailers on the category plan and tailoring it to the retailer's specific strategic requirements.
Develop a deeper level of trust and partnership with our key retailers and be able to shape and inform KC SAs category and brand plans.
Within this, a key work stream is to lead retailer category reviews on a regular cadence, linking back to the core category drivers and action plan.
PEOPLE:
Ensure own behaviours are consistent with our One K-C Behaviours.
Make an active contribution to the team environment, through sharing knowledge and collaborating with others to build an engaged workplace.
Ensure commitment and clear understanding of KC policies and procedures and always adhere to them.
To succeed in this role, you will need the following:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Degree / Diploma or equivalent advantageous
Minimum 3 years' business experience in marketing, customer or category management (ideally worked in 2 of those fields)
Proven analytical skills - able to pull the data detail and zoom out of the detail to assess the big picture.
Third party Data such as customers data platforms exposure or experience & with Nielsen platforms and data.
Highly effective communicator with strong presentation skills - ability to take complex data and modify into simple way of storytelling.
Advanced Excel & PowerPoint
Proven ability to work collaboratively in team-based environment, and comfortable achieving through others.
Added advantage:
Customer facing experience.
Space management experience.
Shopper research
Financial acumen