Category Specialist

Provide internal and external relevant information and data flow to the demand organization to ensure customer centricity and consumer driven decisions. Create and coordinate the Category Management Vision, design strategies, identify potential and initiate projects that will ensure category growth and RC market share, through the development of the optimal shopping experience, portfolio, assortment, and in-store leadership.

Guarantee a consistent execution aligned with the Mars Petcare vision and leading the deployment of Royal Canin.

• Higher University degree, preferably in Marketing or ADE
• 5+ years experience in Category Management/Sales, preferably in FMCG
• Use of Category management tools
• Ability to create strong relationships across internal departments & external partners
• Proficiency in Office (Excel & Power Point)
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Business travel is required

• Gather, implement and manage market research, analyzing qualitative and quantitative market data in the category including Nielsen, VMS, KA sellout, shopper & consumer insights to provide the business with this valuable information, and to create value propositions and action plans that will help to drive category growth and adapt the trade marketing activity accordingly.
• Effective follow up of retail sales prices, market & competitors analysis to nourish the RC go-to-market pricing strategy and ensuring SRM correct implementation.
• Leverage key sales analytics and shopper insights to build sales acceleration programs in collaboration with marketing, sales & customer service teams: category, promo, merchandising, brand visibility, SKU listing, customer ad-hoc plans, ND acceleration, retail coverage. This includes sales productivity analysis (by pillar, area, distribution channel).
• In close coordination with Marketing and Corporate Affairs, act as a center of expertise for knowledge transfer, RC sales capabilities, and training for customers on Petcare Category.
• Lead the SciHN Royal Canin Category Vision adapted to Iberia, deploying it internally and engaging all our customers. Provide cross-pillar support in the definition of the category plans and its execution from the point of view of category and shopper knowledge.
• In collaboration with sales teams, drive Category Partnerships with KA, chains, and Marbel customers (A+B), leveraging market data and consumer insights.
• Support KAMs in developing business strategies to increase market share in top customers (KA), including promotional plans, portfolio, planograms, layouts, and category and marketing projects.
• Deploy the ideal shopping experience designed by Global (Perfect Store) based on shopper and client insights. Detail out Perfect Store Program scope, ambition, roadmap, and governance model with the support of the Pillar Head and the Global Perfect Store Manager.
• Ensure Perfect Store implementation (including product range and decision-making tree), building an effective cross-functional Perfect Store working team and assigning clear ownership and accountabilities on the identified work streams (Marketing, Merchandising, Sales teams).

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s, SNICKERS, TWIX, MILKY WAY, DOVE, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, WHISKAS, EXTRA, ORBIT, 5, SKITTLES, BEN’S ORIGINAL, and COCOAVIA. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals, BluePearl, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA, and Pet Partners. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom – inspire our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.