Category Development Manager (FMCG)

Role: Category Development Manager (FMCG)
Schedule: Taguig | On-site | Monday to Friday

The Role:

We are looking for a data-driven strategist to lead our Category Development efforts. In this role, you aren't just selling a product; you are selling a vision for how the entire aisle should look and perform. You will be the expert on shopper behavior, identifying "where to play" and "how to win" through optimized assortment and superior shelf presence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Leadership: Act as the objective category expert for internal sales teams and external retail partners to drive long-term, sustainable growth.
• Modular & Planogram Excellence: Lead the design and implementation of best-in-class planograms. Ensure our brands have a "fair share" of shelf space relative to market performance.
• Assortment Optimization: Use tools like Nielsen, IRI, or internal scan data to recommend the optimal mix of products (Core vs. Innovation) to reduce out-of-stocks and maximize sales.
• Shopper Insights: Analyze the "Path to Purchase." Understand why, how, and where shoppers buy, and use these insights to influence secondary placements and cross-merchandising.
• Strategic Reviews: Lead quarterly and annual category reviews with key retail stakeholders, presenting data-backed opportunities for distribution expansion.
• New Product Launch Support: Create the category rationale for new launches, ensuring they are positioned correctly on the shelf to capture maximum consumer attention.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Experience: 6+ years in Category Management, Retail Analytics, or Shopper Insights within the FMCG/CPG industry.
• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of space planning software (e.g., JDA/BlueYonder, Apollo, or Spaceman) and syndicated data (Nielsen/IQVIA).
• Storytelling with Data: Proven ability to take "raw data" and turn it into a persuasive commercial narrative.
• Retailer Savvy: Experience working directly with large-scale retailers or organized trade buyers.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to look beyond immediate sales to understand long-term category health and shopper loyalty.