Business Category Manager - Ppd

When you look at L'Oréal, what do you see? If all you see is lipstick, look again and experience the Freedom to go Beyond the ordinary. That’s the beauty of L'Oréal. We operate in 150 countries on 5 continents. With 36 international brands and 86,000 employees worldwide, we’re well on our way to fulfilling our common purpose: to create beauty that moves the world. By 2030 we want to capture over another 1 billion consumers around the world. How? By creating cosmetic products which meet the infinite diversity of consumers' beauty needs and desires, and always through digital innovation. Not only that, but taking our sustainability goals seriously; moving us to a more inclusive and sustainable society, for every generation.

In the Professional Products Division (PPD), our mission is to be the partner of choice for the professional hair industry, inspiring stylists and creating desirability amongst consumers with meaningful brands. We’re the founding Division for the L'Oréal group, with a rich history over 110 years. The 8-brand portfolio includes the likes of L'Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase, Redken and Matrix and the division is universally known for exclusively supplying salons and other professional customers with the most advanced technologies in hair and beauty products.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

• Build credibility as an expert in shopper insights and category trends, leveraging data to develop actionable recommendations and drive informed decision-making. You will analyse market data, identify growth opportunities, and develop compelling presentations.
• Lead and deliver the one-to-three-year vision and strategy for the category based on deep shopper, consumer, customer and competitor insights.
• Based on defined category strategy, build and implement the winning GTM strategy for PPD in the category, including the channel strategy, distribution and assortment plan, pricing recommendations and promotion planning.
• Partner with our Commercial, Marketing and Activation Teams to translate our Category strategy into clear selling stories.
• Present in Division-wide meetings to share market dynamics, our category strategy, and highlight key priorities to target.
• Utilise your expertise in sales and shopper data tools to analyse performance, track key metrics, and measure the impact of category initiatives. You will identify trends, anticipate challenges, and adjust strategies to maximise results.
• Work closely with our CMI teams on consumer insights to share expertise on the total category dynamics.
• Work with the RGM manager to drive yearly valorisation strategy for the category to include post event analysis, pricing and opportunities based on analysis of current position and white space, mix strategies. Own promotional golden rules of the category in partnership with the Activation Team.

WHO YOU ARE

• Significant experience in Category Management or Insights roles, preferably within the Beauty or Personal Care industry.
• A proven track record of developing and executing successful category strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Deep understanding of category management principles, including assortment optimization, pricing strategies, and promotional planning.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data and draw actionable insights.
• Advanced data analytic proficiency through Excel and preferably other BI software solutions e.g. Power BI.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across different functions and levels.
• Strong commercial acumen, able to translate complex analysis to pragmatic, actionable recommendations for the wider business.
• An action-oriented mindset, with a constant focus on 'insight-to-action'.
• Confident presenting skills using storytelling to convey messages to peers as well as upper management.
• An analytical approach with ability to solve complex business problems through data analysis.
• A self-starting, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to see opportunities and build plans to realise them.
• Ability to create relationships to build knowledge and influence all areas and levels of the organisation.

WHAT WE OFFER

Our people are at the heart of everything we do and play a vital role in the success of our company. We are committed to offering you a package that is fair, competitive, and equitable to help support you to do what you love most, achieve your goals and become the best version of yourself. Our range of optional benefits include money-saving offers and exclusive discounts, in addition to health & wellbeing support, development opportunities, flexibility, and leave entitlements. You will also have access to private medical and dental insurance, an enhanced pension, 25 days annual leave increasing after 3 years' service, an online staff shop with up to 60% off products, access to incredible trainings and monthly talks, enhanced family leave provisions as well as up to 4 weeks paid fertility leave. We also have app partnerships with Thrive for mental health and Peppy Menopause support and an employee assistance service available to all employees for if and when you need it.

HOW WE RECRUIT

At L'Oréal, we take pride in creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and their contributions are valued. When we recruit, hire, train, promote or engage in any other employment practice, we are committed to being an inclusive employer regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status. When we look for talent, we welcome difference - different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and perspectives. The beauty we find in our differences gives us the freedom to go beyond. That’s the beauty of L'Oréal.