Category Development Manager: Co-op

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits. To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient, and positive because we expect pace and agility. We insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

The Coop/Nisa category manager is accountable for the Coop & Nisa of our Biscuits, Crisps & Snacks & Cake businesses across the Take Home mission. You will ensure development of strong trade buyer relationships & delivery of industry-leading insight at all levels, providing category leadership and developing and implementing plans that deliver category growth for our customers and for pladis. Execution of the category growth plan will result in pladis being seen as the category partner of choice with our customers. You will assist with strategy development as well as the optimisation of range, distribution, space, location, and availability of the category in order to achieve the agreed category growth plan which will ultimately also help grow pladis in Coop & Nisa.

What will be your key deliverables?

• CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS: Broaden our sphere of collaboration, influence and build close working relationships with key external contacts within both Coop & Nisa. Develop a customer contact strategy to be agreed with the Controller, encompassing contacts to network with, frequency & objectives of the contact.
• CATEGORY GROWTH PLAN: In line with the 3-Year vision of category growth for the focus customer(s) that identifies new ways to unlock consumption and purchase for the biscuits, work with the customer to tailor & implement a one-year category growth plan; bringing it to life in a simple and compelling way that encourages the focus customer(s) to see the growth potential of the categories, makes it clear what they need to do to unlock the value and reinforces pladis as the #1 category advisor to help achieve growth.
• TAKE HOME FIXTURE OF THE FUTURE: In the wake of HFSS regulations & taking into account future trends & opportunities, build & deliver our vision of the Biscuits fixture of the future by key customer mission format to increase shopper engagement with the category, improve ease of shop and drive greater impulse purchase opportunities.
• CATEGORY FUNDAMENTALS: Ensure development and execution of differentiated strategies and tactics for focus customer(s) that improve range, distribution, location, availability, promotions and space (Macro, primary and secondary) for the Category; making the biscuits' category easier and more enjoyable to shop. Objectively evaluate Category performance in the focus customer(s), identifying risks or opportunities to the portfolio and proactively communicating suggested course correction. Ensure that range reviews & ranging window opportunities are improved by highlighting opportunities & risks, agree & lead progress v agreed metrics.
• INSIGHTS TO ACTIONS, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING: Effectively interpret all available industry, category, customer and shopper data turning it into useful insights that are communicated regularly to focus customer(s) and, where appropriate, any specific findings for the pladis organisation e.g. HFSS regulations, Category health checks, promotional analysis and category fundamentals.
• BRAND CHAMPION: For the designated area of responsibility, work closely with the Brand Marketing, Innovation and MS&P teams to ensure that there is a clear category, consumer, shopper and retailer rationale for our brands and retailer operational considerations are clearly understood and acted on in the brand planning/innovation process.

Measures: Biscuits Category Growth Agreed specific Category Plan metrics. Advantage Group Survey Ranking & Score.

Essential Experience: Understanding of Category Management Principles and execution. Robust understanding of the UK Retail Trade across all Channels and proven experience in developing merchandising and category recommendations in multiple customers or channels. Genuine desire to physically engage with customer contacts on a regular basis is important for this trade sector. Strong influencing, collaborating and relationship building skills with customers & partners. A passion for understanding the dynamics behind category performance & making things better. Proven experience with leading, developing and deploying Annual Category Growth Plans that deliver effective business results. Proven experience of Space Planning and Insights tools and data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Coop Data, Him!, etc.

What will the interview process be?

• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
• pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Car allowance, paid monthly.
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical Insurance.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• 25 days + bank holidays.
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme.
• 1 Volunteering Day per year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial Wellbeing Support.
• Access to great training and development opportunities.

Our Values:

• Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.
• Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
• Positive – We’re highly motivated, optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better.
• Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward.
• Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.