Category Manager, Mainstream Chocolate

As the Category Manager for Mainstream Chocolate, you will lead the growth strategy for one of Ferrero’s most exciting categories. You’ll identify opportunities to drive both category and brand growth, develop compelling sales enablers, and analyze performance trends to inform strategic decisions. You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Ferrero’s success while shaping the future of the Mainstream Chocolate category.

This role is based at our U.S. Headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, and reports directly to the Category Management Director, Chocolate. 

• Develop and implement a Category Growth Platform for Mainstream Chocolate which helps in shaping the Category growth strategy
• Maintain and communicate Ferrero’s strategy on how to grow Mainstream Chocolate, focusing on Distribution, Merchandising, Shelving, and Pricing (DSMP) fundamentals
• Develop Category based selling stories for new product launches through the Commercial Planning process and provide sales enablers to support key initiatives within Mainstream Chocolate
• Work collaboratively with the Consumer and Shopper Understanding team to develop innovative and insightful content to drive Category growth
• Work collaboratively with Field Category Management, Trade Marketing, Sales and Brand to develop recommendations for aligned KPIs and ensure process integrity
• Provide Category insights during the Joint Business Planning process and support execution against strategic initiatives and commitments in key accounts
• Manage and maximize use and output of syndicated research resources, shopper insights platforms, research projects in support of key Category Management initiatives
• Strong understanding of syndicated data to help predict trends and find opportunities to develop Category Management strategies
• Strong knowledge of shopper insights, shopper behavior, and driving shopper led growth
• Experience working with Power Brands and how Power Brands drive growth
• Monitor and analyze Category, competition, and consumer market data to identify business opportunities and develop new Category development plans

Developmental Opportunities:

• Interact with cross-functional team members from different departments and levels of the organization, gaining exposure, awareness of other functions, and experience collaborating.
• Lead key projects and demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit to help address Category Management opportunities.  Be responsible for launching and developing important resources that will be leveraged across the organization.
• Participate in Ferrero and Category Management specific trainings to sharpen skills and prepare for advancement opportunities within the Category Management team. 
• Formal and informal mentorships with stakeholders from Sales, Trade Marketing, Brand, and Consumer & Shopper Understanding.  Provides for multiple career mapping opportunities.

• 7+ years of experience in Category Management, Advanced Analytics, or Consulting
• Minium 3+ years of CPG experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a Business/Marketing discipline required (MBA a plus)
• Extensive experience working with syndicated data (Circana or Nielsen)
• Understanding of Receipt Panel, Scintilla and 8451 a plus
• Experience working with Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel or PowerPoint
• Strong communication, storytelling, presentation, and project management skills
• Executive presentation competencies when delivering key insights to internal and external stakeholders
• Strategic and proactive thinking to develop strategies and identify opportunities within the Category
• Ability to manage cross functional collaboration and thrive in a matrix environment
• Possess a Global mindset with the desire to build a successful career within a growing global company
• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills
• 25% Travel required for customer meetings and industry events

The base salary range for this position is $120,000.00 - $148,000.00 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

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Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
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Ferrero U.S.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.