How You Will Contribute
Working with other internal stakeholders, you will support the brand portfolio strategy and priorities to enable consumer-centric brand portfolio growth. You will develop annual plans, setting objectives and allocating resources. In addition, you will offer recommendations for integrated commercial plans, develop and execute marketing plans that deliver on revenue and profit forecasts, and share objectives. Based on your deep consumer insights and brand positioning, you will develop and implement integrated marketing communications and 360 degree campaigns.
What You Will Bring
A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge:
- Consumer behavior, preferably in the consumer goods sector in matrix environment
- Developing a seamless consumer experience
- Managing business objectives beyond brand and budget
- Analytics and creativity—a balance of commercial and strategic acumen
- Leading and influencing teams
- Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, and executive presentation skills
- Markets with diverse economic environments a distinct advantage
More About This Role
What you need to know about this position:
- This position develops and implement a portfolio strategy in line with the category vision to drive sustainable category growth and deliver business objectives through collaborating with cross functional teams, global and regional category teams.
- This position owns and manages the categories P&Ls with an NR more than $39MM; along with future business development plan & objectives including NPD and platform opportunities.
- This role will also lead the development of world class brand campaigns that will drive category growth and provide leadership to the category brand team in the execution of category brand programs driven by consumer and shopper insights.
Key Responsibilities
The Category Manager, Gum, Candy and Chocolates is accountable for the following:
Strategic Planning
- Determine the category’s strategies and priorities based on understanding growth opportunities for key brands in the portfolio to deliver the growth ambition by collaborating effectively with global and regional category teams and cross-functional teams.
- Develop annual plans including setting objectives, developing portfolio strategy, and allocating resources. Provide specific recommendations and sell-in plans to high-level Management and cross-functional teams.
Execution of Strategy
- Lead the development and execution of category marketing plans to deliver revenue, profit and share objectives for the categories. Monitor the plans against the strategic targets for delivering the growth targets. Define brand strategy that ensures delivery against the strategic ambition.
- Lead the development of integrated marketing communication, 360-degree campaigns in line with the categories’ strategy and vision.
- Lead the development of insight led and strategically relevant communication campaigns and media strategies that will drive brand health and categories growth locally.
- Accountable to deliver categories revenue and profit growth in line with the business objectives through effective P&L management.
- Responsible for consumer relevant new product and packaging development based on key consumer insights.
Organization Development
- Take ownership of the effectiveness of the cross-functional category team to enhance synergies across the business and aligned execution of strategic and operational plans.
- Create a winning brand team. Manage talent through effective recruitment, development, coaching and advancement planning.
- Develop clear objectives for direct reports consistent with the company values and business objectives. Train and develop direct reports using Leadership framework as a guide and make training an everyday priority.
Key Performance Indicators
- Brand / Category P&L @ AC, Revised Forecasts Volume, revenue, gross margins %, Net contribution % at Market level
- Cluster Category P&L
- Market Share Markets
- GTN efficiency and ROI
- A&C spend effectiveness and ROI’s
- Brand penetration / frequency in market
What extra ingredients you will bring:
- Passion and Intrinsic Motivation
- Strong balance of Intuition and Analytic skills
- Strong creative skills
Education / Certifications:
- Degree in Marketing or similar field
- MBA Preferred
Job specific requirements:
- 10 Years’ Experience in Multi-National (3-5 years in a marketing-leadership role)
Travel requirements:
- Thirty percent (30%) in West Africa