Senior Category Manager

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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Ourstory 

Family and ideas have always been our ingredients. Our founding families believed biscuits and chocolates could bring moments of happiness to the world. Their ideas have stood the test of time. Their spirit continues to inspire our future.It’s in the care and the craft we bake into biscuits and chocolates that have been loved for generations. Andit’s in the fresh ideas, the new twists,flavours and textures we add to old and new favourites. 

Our 16,000 colleagues across our global network of bakers, distributionsites and offices each with their own unique, diverse experience.To bring happiness with every bite. 

Ifyou’re a part of thepladisteam, you know what it means tobring it. Whetherit’s or resilience, teamspirit or go-getting attitude. Our courage and compassion. Our ownership. Our whole selves. We Bring it. Day in, day out.  

Inspired by you 

Our foundersdidn’t follow rules and recipes, they created them.We’re looking for fresh thinkers to help us create the next chapter forpladis. 

pladis succeeds because of people like you. People who wake up in the morning excited to get to work. Whobelieve in themselves and theirpotential. Whowant to grow as part of a global community of like-minded colleagues!Because growth is our oxygen and our fuel. Andit’s our deep and abidingbelief that growth comes from working together, helping each other out, always passionate about our purpose to bring happiness with every bite. 

Our Purpose 

Bring happiness with every bite! 

It’s a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And whilewe’re all unique, we also share the same values. 

Each of our values is important on its own. In combinationthey’re incredibly powerful.  

Our values have deep personal meaning to us.They’re part of who we are and what we stand for as anemployer.  

Living ourpladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these keypladis values.  

Role Title:SeniorCategory Manager -Cake 

Hiring Manager:Head of Commercial - Cake 

TheCake Business Unit is anew and dedicated team withthe ambition totransformpladis footprint in the cake category.The role of theSenior Category Manager, Cake is key to deliver ourambition, and willpartner with our top 4grocery customerstodrive the salesof the Cake Category. This will be donethrough the provision of industry-leading shopper,retailer and market insights toenable robust decision making oncategory initiatives,product ranges, merchandising, businessplanning and promotions.  

This is a crucial customer-facing role to achieve Category Leadership.  

What will this role achieve?  

Reporting into theHead of Commercial, Cake, the SeniorCategory Managerwill inspire and influence their customers to implement growth driving category initiatives. By developing proximity and partnership with Grocery buyers and planners, they will thrive to establishpladis asthe go-to category partner of choice, optimisingCake range, distribution, space, location,promotions and availability.   

What will be your key deliverables?  

• Customer Relationships:Build and expand our ongoing relationship withthe Top4 retailers, broadening our engagement and becoming the go-to person for category advice & range reviews. This will include a detailed understanding of keydecision-makers, customer strategy and goals to implement a successful contact strategy. The Senior Category Manager, Cake will work within their customers timeline and commercial calendar toidentify and unlock category opportunities    

• Category Growth Plans:The Senior Category Manager, Cake will partner with the Cake Business Unit leadership team to develop our Cake category plans. These plans will balance short-term returns will long-term initiatives and will be tailored by customer and will be brought to life is a simple and engaging way.  

• Category Fundamentals:This role will develop and implementinitiatives to improve range, distribution, location, availability,promotions and space (Macro, primary and secondary) forCake, whilst making the categoryeasier and more enjoyable to shop. Participation to the top 4 range reviews will bea must, to maximiseranging window opportunities andtrack progress v agreed metrics.   

• Analysis and Reporting:The Senior Category Manager, Cake will objectively evaluate Categoryperformanceand our customersrisks or opportunities,and proactively communicaterecommendation to key stakeholders, internally and externally. Data will be turned intoinsightsto improve customers andpladis’ performance.    

Key measures:   

• Participation to top 4 range reviews 

• Receptiveness from decision makers to implement category initiatives 

• Listing,distribution and space gains. 

• Agreed specific Category Plan metrics   

• AGS Score for category and for “Delivering Insights”   

Bring yourexperience.  

• Robust Category Managementexperience gained in a FMCG manufacturing organisation. 

• Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, withprevious participation to annual range reviews. 

• Story teller, with ability to turn complex data sets into insightsclear narrative,to  communicate recommendations in acompelling way.  

• Comfortable with data, withbroad numerical & analyticalexperience.  

• Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery   

• Good relationship building skills with partners   

• Some knowledge of; space planning, insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby   

• Ability to use Microsoft Office products   

OurValues  

Purpose led–We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite  

Agile–We’re everevolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and ourconsumers.  

Positive–We’re highly motivatedoptimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better  

Resilient -We’re persistent in the face of setbacks,quick toadapt, learn and move forward  

Collaborative– We gain strength fromoperating as onepladis, winning and succeeding together  

Best mix of ingredients  

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipewe’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to workthat’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives andnew ideas help us grow and thrive. 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation toparticipate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.  

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.