Category Manager - Extracts
FFP, United States
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY: This role is responsible for assisting in profitably growing FFP’s revenue in the designated market segment and/or product line. The role involves the development of sales/marketing strategy, development of compelling marketing programs, and a high level of customer engagement. The role is responsible for researching and analyzing data and market insights to support business unit development plans for their assigned segment/product line, in collaboration with sales, corporate marketing, and external resources. These plans will include identification of customer targets, competitive analysis, unique selling propositions, and marketing programs that enable moving customers through the revenue cycle (from lead to buying customer).
The role assists the BU in the designated segment/product line, acting as a resource to the sales organization (and others), and fulfilling requests for customer level marketing support. This role acts as a category subject matter expert’ and brings that expertise to our customers, demonstrating that FFP knows well the market they operate within (including latest consumer and market trends). In this role, the position will analyze industry and consumer trends, develop and execute strategies, and oversee pricing, promotion, and product development as needed.
The Category Manager will collaborate heavily across the FFP organization, especially with sales, BU leaders, marketing, research and development, and customer service.
Skills, Traits, amp; Competencies:
· Proven experience with category management, especially with ingredients
· Experience in tea and botanical extracts a plus
· Analytical mindset able to translate to informative narrative.
· Up to date with data analytics/category management principles
· Passion for highly effective marketing programs that drive customer engagement and growth.
· Highly customer centric. Passion for serving both external and internal customers well.
· Strong communicator and high energy presenter. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
· Collaborative. Enjoys working as part of a team. Exhibits flexibility and diplomacy in interpersonal relationships.
· High integrity. A trusted partner and team member.
· Inquisitive. Passion for researching markets and customers to understand what drives behaviors and purchase interest.
· Ability to translate market data and disparate information into meaningful insights. Strong external focus.
· Demonstrated success in driving opportunity creation and ultimately revenue growth.
· Initiative-taking. Exhibits a strong internal drive to perform and succeed.
· Organized and meticulous. Manages work to meet commitments and deliver excellent outputs in short time-lines.
· Keen sense of urgency. Must deliver results in an energetic, fast-paced, and accountable environment.
· Strong entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mentality.
· Practical and Pragmatic approach to solving problems.
· Pushes self and team to develop and grow; never satisfied with good; needs excellent.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of products
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Strategy amp; Planning
o Market - Define FFP’s growth strategy for the business unit. Clearly articulate the value proposition / unique selling proposition. Clearly understand and articulate how we win.
o Analyze data and insights to translate to industry and consumer trends.
o Customer - Outline and prioritize target channels, in collaboration with sales. Outline what stage of the selling cycle each customer is in and guide sales / marketing tactics that will enable activation of relationships, penetration of accounts, closing on wins, and growing.
o Product Outline product strategy for the segment. Articulate what products we win with and why. Articulate and justify any needs for new products or line extensions that will enable / support growth.
o Develop withdrawal plans for unsuccessful products.
o Capability outline what capabilities we win with in the segment. Articulate and justify any needs for new or additional capabilities that will enable / support growth as directed by BD.
o Pricing outline price / margin targets that maximize profitability for FFP. Monitor margins and instigate actions when needed.
· Sales Enablement (Selling amp; Marketing Tools amp; Tactics)
o Collaborate to define a marketing plan that enables growth and enables sales to succeed in the segment.
o Lead development of compelling marketing materials / campaigns / activities that demonstrate FFP’s value propositions / unique selling proposition (with support from corporate marketing/partners).
o Lead training of sales team on segment value propositions, produc