Category Manager

Henkel Adhesive Technologies- world’s #1 producer in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. We enable the transformation of entire industries, giving our customers a competitive advantage and offering consumers a unique experience. With trusted brands and high-impact solutions based on an unmatched technology portfolio, we are creating value for all our stakeholders.

Do you have CPG experience? The Manager of Category Management/Development is responsible for representing Henkel as the industry authority in category management to our customers and partners. They have a robust understanding of the consumer / shopper in the channels and categories in which we play, and leverage that understanding to provide insights and recommendations to steer Henkel and our customers to achieve mutually beneficial business objectives. Consider joining our team today!

Location; Westlake, OH - will assist with relocation

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy and Approach: Develop and execute comprehensive category management strategies and the customer engagement approach to achieve customer and ACC NA objectives.
• Customer Engagement: Represent Henkel as the industry authority on the consumer, shopper, and category management principles. Engage with customers through in-person meetings, webinars, and regular publications to provide insights and recommendations in support of customer’s strategies and initiatives.
• Knowledge of the Shopper / Consumer: Primary stakeholder in research, analysis, and establishment of the “state of the consumer”. Leverage research outcomes to establish common perspective among internal stakeholders and to steer internal and customer business strategy.
• Category Blueprint: Partner with account management and marketing to establish a blueprint for optimizing assortment, merchandising, placement, and promotion ROI. Develop Engaging Presentations: Develop customer and internal presentations leveraging data and insights to tell compelling stories that connect recommendations to objectives.
• Category Management Tools, Data Sources: Power user, subject matter expert on the management & use of planogram optimization software, 3rd party panel data, point-of-sales data. Examples; Numerator, ImpactXP, Luminate.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Implementing Best Practices: Maintain a pulse on industry trends and best practices through peer benchmarking and networking with industry experts; implement where appropriate.
• Organizational Development: Foster a mindset of continuous learning in category management fundamentals through training and developing Jr. Category Development Lead(s) and indirect team members.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor key performance indicators for category growth, penetration, and ROI; provide recommendations on targets, benchmarks, and success drivers.
• Vendor Relations: Own the relationship with required 3rd party data source providers and category management enhancement tools.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 5 years of exp in category management or a similar role within the CPG industry.
• Experience with leveraging panel data sources, tools (Numerator and Luminate preferred)
• Experience with leveraging customer point of sale data to measure and optimize performance.
• Proficiency; Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI (preferred). Understanding of research methodologies, scoping, and project management (preferred).
• Experience; planogram development and assortment optimization tools (ImpactXP preferred).