Category Development Manager

As Category Development Manager Premium Chocolate, Seasonal, Ice Cream & Frozen Bakery, you will drive the growth of our categories, acting as the main point of contact within Trade Marketing Sales and Marketing concerning the assigned categories. You will own the category plan in the Belgian & Dutch markets: from brand plan to customer plans to business reviews and meetings with customers. Additionally, you will be instrumental in delivering effective trade stories to our customers in line with our strategy, as well as being in close contact with our field teams to secure excellent execution in store of the agreed activities. You will craft a solid category vision based on shopper & market insights, which you will proactively collect both from external and internal data sources, as well as a thorough analysis of data.

At the category level, you will define national activation according to specific business needs (promo, 2nd placements, POSM, event, etc.) in alignment with the brand plans. You will track category performance and analyze promo/activity efficiency, provide guidelines for in-store implementation (plano, field arguments, etc.), and craft compelling sales argumentation.
You will have 3 main objectives:

Category strategy (external focus): Bring Customer partnership to a higher level
You will play a key role in strengthening our collaboration with Benelux customers by sharing an impartial, data driven category vision supported by sharp insights. You provide consistent and timely support to customer teams when it comes to creating and optimizing assortments and planograms, ensuring maximum alignment with brand and SKU priorities as well as national shelving guidelines. You actively work to enhance customers’ perception of Ferrero as a best in class category partner, recognized for its objective, insight-driven recommendations and concrete contribution to sustainable category growth (KPI: Advantage Report).

Category strategy (internal focus): Bring Category deployment to a higher level
You help optimize the Benelux portfolio by applying clear prioritization and driving value oriented assortment choices that deliver sustainable category growth. You define a promotion strategy that stimulates performance while protecting brand equity and profitability. You maximize shelving effectiveness and in-store visibility through clear national guidelines and supporting customer teams in translating them into simple, high impact customer executions. You co-manage seasonal campaigns together with customer teams and Business Intelligence, delivering compelling trade stories and field materials in line with company and customer planning. You contribute to BNL commercial development by identifying and activating growth opportunities across innovation, pack–price architecture, and channel expansion. You coordinate key POSM development for your category in close collaboration with the POSM lead and marketing, always considering field implications and feasibility. Further, you work closely with the field team to secure ideal execution of category priorities.

Drive an effective Way of Working within Trade Marketing and across departments
You strengthen collaboration with Customer Management by sharing clear, actionable category guidelines and supporting tailored customer adaptations. You drive the implementation of the company portfolio strategy at BNL level by actively contributing to cross-functional meetings. You maintain continuous alignment with the Revenue Manager to ensure a full understanding of the financial impact of promotional plans and customer specific or retail media investments. Finally, you ensure visibility and engagement across the entire BNL scope, including regular presence in both countries (Belgium & the Netherlands) and regular touchpoints with both market’s customer teams.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Sales, Marketing, or another relevant field, and brings 6 years of experience in sales or trade marketing roles. An understanding of FMCG dynamics and Benelux food retail is essential. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in category management (including assortment analysis, promotional planning and planogram development) and have an entrepreneurial attitude.
Analytical skills from category performances to financial dimensions are essential, as well as familiarity with data management (Nielsen, YouGov, etc.).
You should be a skilled communicator, at ease with social interactions. Proficiency in Dutch, French and English enable you to effectively communicate and collaborate with your internal and external stakeholders.

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

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.
Find out more here.