Position: Category Manager

Based: Milan, Italy

Working model: Hybrid

Type of contract: Permanent

 

 

 

As a Category Manager you will be part of the Commercial Team and you will be responsible for the development and implementation of category strategies and shopper & trade initiatives to achieve sales and profitability targets.

 

Your role involves strategic planning, market and customers analysis, supplier management, and driving sales growth. You will work closely with sales and marketing and others cross-functional teams to ensure effective category management and promotional strategies.

 

 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Understand industry, category, customer and consumer trends to translate those insights into actionable strategic business recommendations and plans to achieve both McCormick’s and customer’s goals and objectives.

 

Lead the development and implementation of national, regional and customer category and shopper strategies and initiatives across assortment, merchandising, and pricing aimed to maximize category and McCormick performance:

 

Engage with cross functional partners across Marketing, Customer Category Management team, Sales Planning, Finance, Sales and external partners; Develop and implement category and trade plan to achieve sales and profitability targets; Collaborate with marketing teams to create and execute promotional campaigns and events; Prepare and present category performance reports to senior management.

 

Collaborate with sales teams to identify trade opportunities and optimize product placement and visibility in retail environments:

 

Plan and manage trade promotions, including in-store displays, point-of-sale materials, and special events; Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail partners and distributors; Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of trade initiatives, making data-driven adjustments as needed.

 

Provide proactive analysis and shopper insight driven recommendations against all key business drivers and lead presentations related to National category reviews:

 

Monitor and analyze category performance, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize results; Analyze pricing strategies to ensure competitiveness and profitability; Supporting business performance reporting and identifying key insights against period-to period drivers, opportunities, and risks.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

 

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or related field, Must possess a valid driver’s license, with an acceptable driving record, Relevant experience of branded CPG industry preferably in Sales, Trade Marketing or Category Management, Strong analytical skills and understanding of category management principles and key category performance drivers and measurements, Advanced knowledge of syndicated data, customer data platform and shopper data across various platforms including Nielsen, Circana, Kantar, Ipsos, etc., Proven ability to form actionable business plans, including building compelling presentations, Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft 360, especially Excel and PowerPoint, Ability to build and maintain relationships and work in a team environment with cross functional partners including: Sales Account Management, Sales Planning & Insights, Marketing, and Revenue Management, Must be self-motivated, possess excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation skills) and organization skills, and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.

 

COMPANY

 

Company manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavourful products to the entire food industry, retail outlets, food manufactures, food service businesses and consumers.

 

While our global headquarters are in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA area, McCormick operates and serves customers from nearly 60 locations in 25 countries and 170 markets in Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas, including North, South and Central America with recognized brands including Drogheria e Alimentari.

 

At McCormick, we have over a 100-year legacy based on our “Power of People” principle. This principle fosters an unusually dedicated workforce requiring a culture of respect, recognition, inclusion and collaboration based on the highest ethical values.

 

 

TO APPLY

 

Agencies: McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

 

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

 

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