Junior Category Manager (Xico)

Overview

The core role of the Category Jr. Manager is to have full brand and business responsibility for your category. You will build the strength of the brand equity in consumers' minds through winning product proposals, smart pricing, effective advertising, media and PR. The role requires leading cross‑functional teams to execute innovative trial‑driving programs and identify business opportunities aligned with global brand strategies.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the objectives for the assigned category in Mexico, including net sales, market share and gross margin targets.
• Define and lead the execution of the Annual Brand Plan, identifying main market barriers and opportunities to drive growth.
• Set financial objectives such as sales projections, budgets and marketing strategies.
• Adjust the global plan to local strategy and adapt global toolkits/initiatives for the successful launch of new products and brands.
• Communicate local needs and consumer insights/trends in a fact‑based manner to the regional team.
• Plan and time brand activation initiatives and new product development launches, ensuring KPI achievement.
• Execute the go‑to‑market plan for the entire innovation pipeline in close teamwork with customer marketing, according to consumer and commercial market requirements.
• Ensure local communication (ads, PR, promo, merchandising, digital, e‑commerce, etc.) aligns with integral guidance to build strong brand equity.
• Manage the product portfolio, discontinuing low‑seller or low‑margin products and introducing new, winning innovations while minimizing obsolete inventories.
• Establish SMART pricing strategies for the portfolio across markets and channels.
• Use analytics (NPD, Nielsen, ISCAM, etc.) and market trends to identify opportunities or threats and propose clear action plans to the commercial team.
• Recommend distribution and promotion strategies to penetrate different channels and capitalize on growth opportunities.
• Leverage competitive landscape insights to enhance marketing strategies and gain a competitive advantage.
• Lead strategic alliances to generate innovative marketing, maximize visibility, PR synergies and competitive advantage.
• Manage the end‑to‑end process for media management, from briefing to post‑evaluation of campaigns across offline and online channels.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the competitor landscape, strengths and weaknesses, with the ability to provide appropriate recommendations.
• Insight into consumer needs and decision‑making factors, enabling recommendations for product attributes and communication strategies that attract and retain users.
• Full ownership of category P&L with strategic decision‐making responsibility.

Education and Experience

Five‑year college degree. Minimum eight years of combined experience in marketing, brand management, trade marketing, innovation and related fields. Demonstrated execution of marketing plans in close collaboration with sales and trade marketing, and collaboration with peers in other departments (demand planning, product supply, sales, etc.). Experience managing agencies and, ideally, developing people.

Skills

• Proactive with a drive for results.
• Advanced market and data analysis skills (Nielsen experience required).
• High organizational skills for managing information, agendas and project timelines.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Strong teamwork and courageous leadership skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinking to translate consumer and market data into actionable plans that drive innovation and brand growth.
• Excellent communication and people skills for influencing and leading cross‑functional teams, meetings and follow‑ups.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with a “can‑do” attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities.