Category Development Manager – Wal-Mart at US Nestle in Rogers, Arkansas

Job Description:

Category Development Manager - Wal-Mart

Job Description
Nestlé Purina is seeking an experienced category manager who is looking for an outstanding category opportunity creating and presenting recommendations and category plans to the Wal-Mart team through a consultative approach to lead groundbreaking category development initiatives. Through innovative, strategic recommendations, the Category Development Manager will partner with our core customer, Wal-Mart, to identify opportunities for growth within the Pet Category - over a billion-dollar business in the United States and among the top advisor categories within the greater Nestlé organization. The Category Development Manager will work cross-functionally within their internal region, with internal teams including Supply Chain, Marketing and Finance among others to achieve alignment between Walmart and the Pet Food Category. Additionally, this role will foster ownership of category reviews and business development of total pet care within the Wal-Mart sector.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

• Development of category agenda to provide strategic insights that will drive category growth.
• Delivery of breakthrough, omnichannel merchandising solutions that transform the customer shopping experience - consistent with the Nestlé Purina and Walmart Category visions.
• Report results and insights accompanied by clear, actionable plans to optimize business performance for the Walmart Pet Food Category.
• Ownership of category reviews in line with business unit objectives.
• Provide input to the strategic planning process through delivery of insights to Customer Development Group and Brand Marketing teams.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a Category Advisor that provides key strategic recommendations and category plans for Walmart to grow category performance.
• Develop success measures for all category leadership initiatives.
• Identify research opportunities specific to Walmart and assist in consumer research projects.
• Analyze consumer off-take opportunities.
• Identify and prioritize actions that drive category growth.
• Distinguish key product opportunities within defined geographies.
• Develop omnichannel strategic solutions to achieve identified objectives by utilizing tools and processes, such as item optimization, customized marketing, shelf space optimization/utilization, in-store merchandising, pricing and promotion planning and store clustering.
• Establish credibility as an industry leader in category management by gaining strategic category partnerships through demonstration of category and consumer expertise.
• Develop and foster strong working relationships with Walmart's buyers and cross- functional partners.
• Identify and lead training programs that meet needs specified for account team associates in any of the areas of category leadership.
• Execute category leadership initiatives, including but not limited to line reviews, pricing analysis, seasonal reviews and promotional programs, new item introductions, promotional planning and evaluation, as well as consumer usage analysis.
• Develop and execute the analytics required for strategic category plans utilizing demographic, space management, price management and syndicated data software tools.
• Manage the use of Spectra Micro Marketing, Market Research, Consumer Decision Tree, Panel Data, Nielsen Data Retrieval/Analysis, APT, Numerator and CKB.
• Conduct any necessary meetings to communicate category leadership initiatives, provide or receive training, and the creation of action plans to accomplish team objectives.

*Travel will be 10-20% or as needed for the role.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (Minimum):

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Experience (Years/Type):

• 3+ years of experience in category development, account management or business analytics required. 5+ Years of experience is preferred.
• Experience working with syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI) and customer data (Retail Link, Madrid) preferred.
• 1+ Years' of space planning experience preferred.
• Previous supplier or vendor management experience working with Walmart or Sam's Club preferred.

Skills:

• Strong presentation skills
• Business Development skills a plus
• Strong networking background a plus
• Functional knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and Access
  
  

The Nestlé Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Job: Category Development Manager - Wal-Mart

Primary Location: Rogers, AR US

Other Location:

Career Area: Professional

Nestle Purina PetCare Company

https://nestleusa.taleo.net/careersection/9/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=21002365

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