Category Insights Manager – 12 month parental leave cover

Job Description

Job Description:

Category Insights Manager – 12 month parental leave cover

• Join us at Mars in this key impactful role.
• Mars New Zealand home to market leading brands such as MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®
• Hybrid working environment - core days in our Ellerslie office are Tuesday and Thursday as a minimum

Join a purpose-led business where your work makes a difference to pets, and their people.

At Mars Pet Nutrition, we’re on a mission to create a better world for pets. We are looking for a Category Insights Manager to join our team and drive best-in-class customer collaboration and category leadership with our key retail partners.

Reporting to the Category Strategy Leader and part of the broader Market Strategy & Development Team, the Category Insights Manager, in a 12 month contract position, will be the expert voice of the pet nutrition category across all priority customers and internal stakeholders.

You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering insight-led, customer-centric strategies that grow the category, deliver the Mars ‘Picture of Success’ in-store, and build trusted partnerships that drive mutual profitability and growth.

You’ll lead category reviews and play a critical role in translating insights into action through compelling, shopper-first solutions.

What You’ll Do :

• Lead the execution of insight-led category growth plans that align to both Mars’ category vision and our customer’s strategies.
• Monitor and interpret market and shopper trends, competitor activity, and retail channel developments, proactively sharing insights to inform strategic and commercial decisions.
• Lead customer category reviews and provide clear, actionable insights using tools such as Nielsen and Quantium/Dunnhumby.

• Build strong partnerships to deliver best-in-class customer collaboration through, driving range, space, distribution solutions that grow the category and our brands.

• Champion the Mars Perfect Store programme, ensuring strong in-store and omnichannel execution that enhances shopper conversion.
  

What We’re Looking For:

• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline.

• Proven experience in FMCG Category Management, market and shopper insights preferably within major grocery retail.

• Strong commercial acumen with advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Deep expertise in Nielsen/Circana and Quantium/Dunnhumby analytics tools.

• Ability to influence and build strong partnerships, both internally and externally to deliver results.

• Curious, proactive, and growth-minded individual passionate about pets and category excellence.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Genuine career progression with a focus on you and your career goals. Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• Global health and wellbeing program to support flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to make a difference with our volunteer and ambassador programs.
• Be part of a company that is contributing to making the world a better place today and every day through on our sustainable generation plan.
• A culture that offers collaboration, leadership and rewards you for the role you play within Mars.
• Work for a well-established distributor of pet food, confectionery and food products in our multi-sales business.

Applications will only be accepted from candidates who have the appropriate approval to work in New Zealand.

Internal applicants: This role has been graded as a T1 opportunity, please ensure that you have discussed your application with your line manager prior to applying including obtaining their endorsement.

Applications close: Tuesday 16th of December, 2025