Head of Category Strategy DACH (m/f/d)

Job Description:

Ready to define the future of snacking? Shape the roadmap and lead the category strategy for our iconic Mars Snacking DACH portfolio.

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Translate the global category strategy into a locally relevant vision and growth agenda.

• Develop insight-led category strategies and solutions that drive shopper engagement and sustainable business growth.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of min. 4 associates, fostering collaboration, capability building and continuous improvement.

• Identify category, customer and channel opportunities through data, insights and market trends.

• Partner with commercial and cross-functional teams to embed category strategies into customer plans and activations.

• Drive excellence in retail execution through clear priorities, performance tracking and best-practice frameworks.

• Champion the use of data, analytics and AI-enabled solutions to improve category performance and decision-making.

• Influence senior stakeholders across local, regional and global teams to advance the category growth agenda.

What are we looking for?

• Extensive FMCG/CPG experience with a strong background in category strategy/management, commercial strategy or related functions.

• Proven experience in senior category strategy/leadership and people management roles.

• Demonstrated ability to build, develop and lead high-performing teams.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate insights into action.

• Experience driving business transformation, change initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across diverse functions and organisational levels.

• Strong commercial acumen and sound business judgement.

• Experience developing customer-centric category solutions and delivering sustainable business growth.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex and evolving environment.

• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with 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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