Category Manager

Location: Midrand

Reporting to: Head Commercial Planning and Activations

Job Purpose:

Provide Go-Live activation support for all Marketing Activities as per the Brand portfolio with focus on strategic planning and implementation of visibility, merchandising, consumer promotions and events- based on market needs. Accountable for all the selling activities: from brand instore activations, distribution gap closure to trade promotion plans across the portfolios for your assigned category and channel. Work in close collaboration with marketing, customer and operational teams to achieve the growth targets by channel, by turning brand strategies into Commercial propositions. Own the Shopper proposition and use shopper understanding to deliver co-ordinated, innovative, cross functional sales value to the customer via Customer Thought Leadership plans to grow overall categories. Own the trade go to market plan for new product launches.

Required Learning:

Business / Marketing Degree or IMM Diploma

2 - 4 years' experience in a Trade Marketing/Channel Position

Marketing and Key Account experience an advantage

Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Key Job Outputs:

External environment: market size, trends and growth drivers, competitors, customers, shoppers & regulatory understanding

Internal environment: business strategy alignment, segmentation, sales and customer performance, SWOT analysis, innovation trade-go-to market opportunities, distribution gap closure and planogram planning

Category opportunities and challenges, category strategy review, category performance, pricing strategy, customer and channel plans, communication and activation, trade promotion plan (Co Op activities) development and ROI analyses

Analyse and understand relevant market/sales data to gain insights and track performance vs targets

Monitor competitor intelligence reports

Forecasting input

Lead and work with cross functional teams

Strategic sales and channel involvement to successfully implement channel/customer requirements

Manage marketing budget, brief agencies and implement successful campaigns

Core Competencies:

Strong financial acumen

Strong analytical and presentation skills

Ability to influence, persuade and sell ideas to top management

Strong ability to make decisions and take action

Leadership and assertiveness skills

Ethical and trustworthy

Team player

Detail oriented

Planning and organizational skills

Perform under pressure

Strategic big picture thinker

Solution oriented

Passionate and drive to succeed

Self-motivated and entrepreneurial