PURPOSE OF THIS JOB
The Senior Category Development Managers’ role is to lead and coach the Category Development team, including all Category Development Managers and all Category Analysts, whether in the Corporate Office, or in the Field. This person is responsible for developing and managing the overall company’s Category Business Plan with our key Customers to improve our selling proposition and to deliver sustainable and impactful category based sales initiatives.
This new senior position is designed to manage and direct the workload of the Category Managers and the Category Analysts in regards to: channel assignments, account assignments, BU requests which don’t fall into National Accounts or the Top 20 accounts by BU, and any overflow project work that may arise. This person will coordinate efforts between the Category Management side of the business and the remaining three pillars of the Business Insights Department: Space Management, Data Analysis and Depletions and Sales Insights.
This role will also allow potential movement and promotion opportunity to the Category Managers. At the current time, there is no logical next step for this team, this would allow an interim step, perhaps before becoming a Director of Business Insights, or BU Director of Sales, etc.. This position will take a seasoned veteran, and allow them to manage a large group of people and a large set of tasks. Once this candidate is successful with that, they’ll be ready for their logical next promotion.
The ideal candidate has a strong category management/consumer insights background, the ability to work on their own initiative and to set their own goals, with a proven track record in project management. As well as being an effective category manager with a documented record of account level success, this person will have people management experience as well as experience in managing and properly delegating, up and down, a mass amount of work and projects.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE ACHIEVEMENT OF KEY RESULTS AND DELIVERABLES
- Strategic Category Management Leadership: Assist Director of Insights in the creation and implementation of category management leadership tools and analytical processes for both the Customer, and Red Bull.
Key Deliverables
a. Integrate consumer and category insights into actionable plans which will drive category management initiatives
b. Support sales teams at HQ and in BU’s and the their customers in developing category business plans
c. Drive Category Captaincy with Red Bull’s top Retail Business Partners to optimize sales and share for both
d. Recommend resources, either tools or people, which can be cost justified through a proper return on investment model, to drive strategic alignment with Red Bull’s customers
e. Maintain a clear plan on acquiring and keeping category captaincies with strategic business partners
- Data Analysis: Develop, direct and interpret a variety of syndicated and internal data to track and analyze distribution, merchandising, trends, rankings, forecasts and promotional opportunities for Red Bull and the Customer
Key deliverables:
a. Communicate category development information in effective and efficient fashion, and develop scorecards and benchmarks to evaluate category and Red Bull brand strategy effectiveness
b. Roll out tools and systems to the business units’ sales teams which enable them to plan, forecast and execute promotions more effectively, understand and lead discussions about optimal price gaps, support initiatives to effectively manage the sku’s in the category, and maximize category and Red Bull placement, on and off-shelf.
- Team Management: Lead and manage the team of Category Managers and Analysts, not only in their day to day duties, but in their career planning and progression. This effective Manager will understand the training needs and developmental needs of the department, and will work with individuals on creating strengths from weaknesses, and on turning them into high-output and quality-output performers
Key deliverables:
a. Equitably split work amongst team
b. Direct overflow of requests to the appropriate team members
c. Conduct mid-year and annual performance evaluations
4. Overflow Projects: Participate in, lead, or delegate all projects that fall outside of the top 20 BU accounts and the National Accounts, to deliver Superior Service to the BU VPGM’s and Sales Directors
Key deliverables:
a. Transparent delivery of reports and projects, turned in a timely manner, while consistently elevating the levels of analysis and the quality of the deliverable (must beat and exceed levels of expectations)
b. Provide clear and concise project updates to the business leadership team on a regular basis.
KEY RESULTS AND DELIVERABLES (WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE)
· Provision, implementation, and maintenance of best in class category management process in 2009/2010
· Delivery of an effective and sustainable staffing plan, by account, by category manager for 2009/2010
· Delivery and maintenance of a tracking document, outlining opportunities and results, in regards to Category Captaincies
· Delivery of a clear strategy for handling all over-flow projects to ensure service level to BU’s increases with new organization, not decreases
· Provision of developmental plan for each Category Manager/Analyst in the organization, which will therefore lead to no unexpected turnover within the group
· Delivering against and exceeding specific departmental goals defined by the Director of Insights on a consistent basis.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
· Minimum 10 years of experience within Sales, Category Management, and Project Management
· University – Bachelor’s Degree
· Must have managed a Category Management mid to large sized Category Management department
· In-depth knowledge, understanding and experience with/of FDMC category dynamics
· Ability to build project plans to address discreet business needs and execute plans
· Ability to build effective working networks and relationships across both internal and external contacts
· Proficient analytical skills to build sales stories from internal and external sources, such as Nielsen or IRI
· Exceptional communication skills, including presenting and training abilities
Must be expert in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
ADDITIONAL INFO…
We offer an exceptional Benefits program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Long and Short-Term Disability. If that’s not enough, we have an excellent (matching) 401k, tuition assistance, and paid time off programs. We pay all premiums for the employee and their dependents. (You read that correctly.)
Let’s make this process more fun for both us by dumping the generic cover letter thing. Instead, let us know why this opportunity at Red Bull interests you, as well as why you think it would be a good match with your skill set. Don’t go nuts; a concise paragraph would be perfect.
-Come fly with us in 2009 and beyond!
Red Bull North America is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
