Category Controller

Job Description

Job Description:

Reporting to the Category Leadership Director, this senior category role is responsible for delivering best in class category leadership with priority partner customers in order to deliver mutual growth, and secure long term engagement with the customer. The role requires analytical capability and a passion for shopper and consumer insights to identify category growth partnership opportunities, but also vision, purpose and collaborative customer facing skills in order to leverage & execute these opportunities through Category Leadership initiatives, tactics and practices. The role needs to work with commercial team to represent key customer point of view back to the business, embedding clear long term working relationships, and pioneering key thought leadership projects between mars and the customer for mutual gain. Key deliverables would include co-creation of category vision with the account to define a joint long term picture of success and to implement key initiatives in collaboration. Whilst the role is a technical leader, it also requires talent development, engagement and direction for 3 key associate roles reporting into the role.

What are we looking for?

• Technical and functional experience in areas such as (but not exclusive to): Customer Marketing, Field Sales Management, Shopper Insights, Customer Strategy Team
• Customer experience with ability to engage, influence and impact customers (to senior levels) by providing guidance on strategic direction of category
• High analytical acumen with ability to drive and translate insights into relevant strategies and tactics (actions / initiatives) internally and for execution with our customers
• Experience of Managing and measuring work & Motivating Others (indirect or direct)
• Team Leadership / Direct report experience and Building effective teams

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Delivery of a 3 year Category Vision for Grocery customers including Shelf Vision, Perfect Store and Shopper Key Beliefs to influence key priorities and strategic alignment leading to category growth.
• Support maximization of category enhancing distribution quality and quantity with the account to ensure best in class execution of our brands and to win with key portfolio priority areas.
• Continue the step change in customer engagement through The Category First agenda at Category Director Level, maintain strong TAS scores.
• Establish and embed Category Strategy relationships through scope and delivery of contact strategy at senior level, and through direct report’s delivery of the contract strategy at buyer and merchandiser/category contact level
• Line management of 3 key direct reports, leveraging key talent processes and ensuring effective development, coaching and career planning. 3 x T2
• Coaching and role modelling support for fellow category leadership managers, supporting and providing best practice tools as appropriate to support team development.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.