Director Category Development

At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking a talented Director Category Development is responsible for the efficient and effective management and alignment of all category management resources within the Company Category Management Customer Team. As the strategic business partner to Business Development Managers, customers and clients, ensures strategies and tactics align with the objectives of the retailer, manufacturer and the Company. Oversees Category Senior Managers, Category Managers, and Analysts.

Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off 

Responsibilities:

• Ensure presentation information is strategically organized to communicate business opportunities and recommend action plans that solve business issues and provide impactful revenue generating options.
• Ensure application of data analysis maximizes category performance and demonstrates fluency with shopper marketing best practices and price elasticity methodologies.
• Maintain staff job results by coaching, mentoring and counseling associates; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; develop staff by providing information, educational opportunities, and experiential growth opportunities.
• Partner with the Business Development Manager, when appropriate, in the presentation of the analysis and recommendations.
• Manage, build and maintain ongoing strategic and collaborative relationships and category management activities.
• Develop Shopper insight driven analysis and business strategies driven from this data.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree is required; MBA Degree is preferred, in Business or related field or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in the applicable field (i.e. sales and marketing agency, Customer, and/or Client)
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience
• Good interpersonal and team building skills; ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people
• Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships
• Ability to gather data, to compile information, and prepare reports; ability to develop strategic plans to grow the business

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Position Summary

The Director Category Development is responsible for the efficient and effective management and alignment of all category management resources within the Company Category Management Customer Team. As the strategic business partner to Business Development Managers, customers and clients, ensures strategies and tactics align with the objectives of the retailer, manufacturer and the Company. Oversees Category Senior Managers, Category Managers and Analysts.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Presentation Development

• Ensure presentation information is strategically organized to communicate business opportunities and recommend action plans that solve business issues and provide impactful revenue generating options 

Application of Analyzed Data

• Determine and quantify primary business opportunities and key drivers through data review prepared and presented by category management team
• Support key business opportunities by recommending efficient and effective business solutions based on applicable data
• Ensure application of data analysis maximizes category performance and demonstrates fluency with shopper marketing best practices and price elasticity methodologies 

Manage Direct Reports

• Maintain appropriate staff levels by recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and training associates
• Maintain staff job results by coaching, mentoring and counseling associates; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Develop staff by providing information, educational opportunities, and experiential growth opportunities 

Presentation Delivery

• Partner with the Business Development Manager, when appropriate, in presentation of the analysis and recommendations
• Define and propose major business opportunities using prioritized information that supports the goals of clients, customers, and Company 

Project/Client Management

• Manage, build and maintain ongoing strategic and collaborative relationships and category management activities
• Develop project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans, and conferring with management
• Manage project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems 

Shopper Insights and Analysis

• Active engagement with Customer Loyalty card data as available to company directly or through the client
• Develop Shopper insight driven analysis and business strategies driven from this data

Consultative Selling

• Provide independent consultative recommendations driven by research and data analysis
• Define major business opportunities 

Other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job 

Travel up to 10 - 15% 

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level: (Required) Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

                         (Preferred) Master's Degree or equivalent experience  

Field of Study/Area of Experience:  business or related field

- 5+ years of experience in applicable field (i.e. sales and marketing agency, Customer, and/or Client)

- 2-3 years of supervisory experience

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Decision making skills
• Team building Skills
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to make oral presentations
• Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers
• Ability to gather data, to compile information, and prepare reports
• Ability to develop strategic plans to grow the business

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Non-Sedentary Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: stand for extended periods of time, walk, bend, stoop, or climb.  May have possible exposure to dust, and may require the ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds 33% - 66% of the time. 

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law.  The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.