Head of Category Management UK&I

Our family owned and value driven business is dedicated to crafting protein-packed snacks that are loved by consumers worldwide. Our array of brands includes some of the fastest growing and innovating protein snack brands such as Jack Link's, BiFi and Peperami.

Our spacious and modern Jack Link’s EMEA headquarters is located in the vibrant Amsterdam Houthavens, and includes a highly international team, with more than 25 different nationalities. Our EMEA team is committed to continuing its impressive EMEA expansion, one bite at a time, and becoming the regional leader in branded protein snacks.

Who are we looking for?

The category management function is an integral and growing department in the business and the successful candidate will have the drive to contribute to the continued success of Jack Link’s within the savoury protein snacking category. They will thrive in an international, vibrant and action orientated environment, managing multiple priorities and working collaboratively with their colleagues to deliver against a shared ambition

This role has 2 direct reports (category managers) and this position reports into the Director of Category Management EMEA 

Purpose of the role

An expert in the category and a trusted advisor to the trade, bringing the voice of the retailer, shopper and consumer to the heart of the business ensuring we build plans that grow the category, our brands and our retailers

• Min 8yrs relevant experience in FMCG/Food, in retail or manufacturing companies
• Experience working and interacting with UK grocery multiples
• Experience of agency management and working knowledge of data tools (Nielsen/Circana, Kantar, Dunnhumby)
• Energetic and enthusiastic with a ‘hands-on’ mentality
• Display a commercial mindset, with proven experience in category management
• Able to manage short term deliverables in parallel to developing long term plans
• Stakeholder management and influencing at different levels of seniority
• An analytical thinker with exceptional communication and influencing skills
• A storyteller, with a passion for converting data into actionable insight
• A relationship builder building rapport cross-functionally & externally

Key accountabilities

• Lead the re-fresh of our category vision and growth drivers and embedding the driver’s strategies and key actions both internally and externally
• Build and deliver credible, insight led and actionable recommendations to support the growth of the category, customer and Jack Link’s
• Further develop our category relationships with our strategic accounts across UK&I and take our customer relationships to the next level, being a trusted advisor for omni-channel growth
• Advise retailers through key decision-making periods, effectively influence retailers during key decision-making periods relating to range, space distribution and promotional planning
• Develop the priorities for sales and sales force: perfect store, perfect shelf, optimized channel assortment and promotions guidelines across in-store and online
• Lead the development of consumer/shopper and category centric compelling sell-in stories in close collaboration with the marketing teams and then tailor this to core customers
• Regularly providing proactive retailer/brand/ competitor perspective on performance on periodic basis to the country business teams and the board
• Internally identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities for growth and working collaboratively with sales & marketing to input into business strategy
• Look for ways to streamline reporting to deliver clear, accessible ways to report on KPI’s
• Lead and coach the function to be category thought leaders in the marketplace

Working at Jack Link’s means working in a fun, fast-growing international company with great ambitions.

By Joining Us, You Will:

• Have the chance to build a career as your unique self with all the support we can give you to become the best version of yourself
• Work in an open, transparent, and inclusive culture with colleagues from all over the world
• Receive a salary at market level
• Experience a fast paced and dynamic work atmosphere
• Receive 27 vacation days, and a good company pension plan
• Attend our fun and engaging events

If this sounds like a role that is suited to your skill set, why not apply today!