CATEGORY MANAGER

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 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 customer analysis, supplier management, and driving sales growth. You will work closely with sales, marketing, and other 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 at maximizing 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 plans 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; Support business performance reporting and identify key insights against period-to-period drivers, opportunities, and risks. CANDIDATE PROFILE Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record; Relevant experience in the 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 platforms, 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 flavorful products to the entire food industry, retail outlets, food #J-18808-Ljbffr