Category Manager - Cookies, Cones, & Crusts

With new innovations and exciting expansions plans in place, there has never been a better time to join the Ferrero Group and be extraordinary with us!

As the Category Manager for Cookies, Cones & Crusts, you will lead the growth strategy for Ferrero’s CCC portfolio. In this role, you will identify new opportunities to elevate both the Category and Ferrero, develop impactful sales tools, and analyze performance trends to drive strategic decisions.

The position will be hybrid based in our US Headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, and report to the Category Management Director, Non-Chocolate.

• Develop, implement and activate a Category Growth Vision & Platform for Cookies, grounded in consumer, shopper, and marketplace insights to drive sustainable category and brand growth
• Translate the growth vision into clear category strategies and priorities, including Distribution, Merchandising, Shelving, and Pricing (DSMP), establishing Ferrero’s point of view on how the category should grow
• Develop compelling, insight-led category narratives and selling stories that bring the Category Growth Platform to life across customers, channels, and new product launches
• Identify and unlock category growth opportunities through deep analysis of syndicated data, shopper insights, and competitive trends, anticipating future whitespace and growth levers
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Brand, Trade Marketing, and Field Category Management to align strategies, KPIs, and execution against the Category Growth Vision
• Influence customer strategies through Joint Business Planning, using the category growth vision to shape long-term thinking and drive mutual value creation
• Serve as a category thought leader and strategic advisor, leveraging expertise in shopper behavior, Power Brands, and category roles to elevate Ferrero’s leadership within the Cookies category
• Continuously evolve the Category Growth Platform by monitoring performance, market dynamics, and shopper behavior to ensure relevance and impact over time

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.

• 8+ 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/IRI or Nielsen)
• Understanding of Receipt Panel, Scintilla and 84.51 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

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base salary range for this position is $130,000 - 155,000. 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.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

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.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic. 

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.