Category Manager

Location: Midrand Reporting to: Head Commercial Planning and Activations Job Purpose: Provide Go-Live activation support for all Marketing Activities as per the Brand portfolio with focus on strategic planning and implementation of visibility, merchandising, consumer promotions and events- based on market needs. Accountable for all the selling activities: from brand instore activations, distribution gap closure to trade promotion plans across the portfolios for your assigned category and channel. Work in close collaboration with marketing, customer and operational teams to achieve the growth targets by channel, by turning brand strategies into Commercial propositions. Own the Shopper proposition and use shopper understanding to deliver co-ordinated, innovative, cross functional sales value to the customer via Customer Thought Leadership plans to grow overall categories. Own the trade go to market plan for new product launches. Required Learning: Business / Marketing Degree or IMM Diploma 2 - 4 years' experience in a Trade Marketing/Channel Position Marketing and Key Account experience an advantage Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint and Word Key Job Outputs: External environment: market size, trends and growth drivers, competitors, customers, shoppers & regulatory understandingInternal environment: business strategy alignment, segmentation, sales and customer performance, SWOT analysis, innovation trade-go-to market opportunities, distribution gap closure and planogram planning Category opportunities and challenges, category strategy review, category performance, pricing strategy, customer and channel plans, communication and activation, trade promotion plan (Co Op activities) development and ROI analyses Analyse and understand relevant market/sales data to gain insights and track performance vs targets Monitor competitor intelligence reports Forecasting input Lead and work with cross functional teams Strategic sales and channel involvement to successfully implement channel/customer requirements Manage marketing budget, brief agencies and implement successful campaigns Core Competencies: Strong financial acumen Strong analytical and presentation skills Ability to influence, persuade and sell ideas to top management Strong ability to make decisions and take action Leadership and assertiveness skills Ethical and trustworthy Team player Detail oriented Planning and organizational skills Perform under pressure Strategic big picture thinker Solution oriented Passionate and drive to succeed Self-motivated and entrepreneurial