Junior Category Manager

The core role of the Category Jr. Manager is to have full brand and business responsibility for your category Building the strength of the brand equity in consumers' minds through winning product proposal, smart pricing, effective advertising, media and PR. Lead cross functional teams to execute innovative trial-driving programs. Identify and execute business opportunities aligned with global brand strategies.

Monitor competitive landscape and maintain wining Portfolio for the market, with healthy margins, as well as recommend adequate Go to Market to gain market share.

Job Responsibilities:

• Delivering the objectives for assigned category (Mexico targets net sales, market share, Gross margin).
• Define and lead execution of ANNUAL BRAND PLAN identifying main market barriers/opportunities to drive growth. Including financial objectives (sales projections, budgets, marketing strategies)
• This Role will have contact with regional team in 2 ways: 1) to adjust global plan to local strategy and make the local adaptation of the global toolkits/initiatives for the successful launch of new products/brands. 2) assertive (fact based) communication of local needs and consumer insights/trends.
• Brand activation initiatives and new product development launches (KPI of planning & timing of execution).
• Define and execute in close teamwork with Customer mktg the GO TO MARKET for all the innovation pipeline and initiatives according to consumer and commercial market requirements.
• Build strong brand equity by assuring local COMMUNICATION in every touch point (ads, PR, promo, Merchandising, digital, ecommerce, etc.) are aligned with global guidance.
• Ensure optimal PRODUCT portfolio management (discontinuing low sellers/margin products + new winning innovation. Minimize Obsolete inventories)
• Establish SMART PRICING strategies for all Portfolio according market and different channels.
• Deep understanding and use of analytics (NPD,Nielsen, ISCAM, etc) and latest market trends to identify new opportunities or threats and Bring to commercial team clear action plans to addressed them.
• Based on CONSUMER knowledge propose distribution and promotion strategies to penetrate different channels, consumers and capitalize growth opportunities.
• Understand competitive landscape, capitalize in marketing strategies strengths vs competition.
• Lead strategic alliances to generate innovative marketing , maximized visibility and PR, synergies and competitive advantage in the market.
• End to end process for MEDIA MANAGEMENT from briefing to post evaluation of campaigns OFF/On line media channels.

Qualifications

Insights

• Understanding of the competitor landscape. Strength and weakness, in order to provide appropriate recommendations.
• Understanding of the consumer needs and decision-making factors, in order to recommend winning products attributes and communication strategies that can attract and maintain users for our brands.
• Full understanding and Ownership of category P&L.

Education & Experience:

• Five-year college degree.
• 8+ years combined in marketing, brand management, trade marketing , innovation, .
• Executed marketing plans with close teamwork with sales & trade mktg
• Collaborates with peers in other departments for a common goal (demand planning, product supply, sales,etc)
• Agency management
• People development (ideally)

Skills:

• Proactive and drive for results
• Market and data analysis (Nielsen) experience required
• High Organization skills for information, agendas, project time lines
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Balanced team work and courageous leadership skills
• Strengths with strategic and analytical thinking to translate consumer and market data into action plans that drives innovation and brand growth.
• Excellent communication and people skills for communicating and influencing with cross functional teams, leading meetings and follow-ups
• Strong thinking/problem-solving skills which can be applied to business processes with a "can-do" attitude
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities