Director, Category Leadership – Kroger

Job Description

The Director of Category Leadership is a transformational leader responsible for driving category performance and elevating partnerships across Kraft Heinz's second-largest customer, Kroger, with annual revenues of $2.3B across +45 categories.

They are responsible for a large team of category leads and advisors and report to the Head of Category Leadership. This leader is a Kroger expert with a proven record of Category Management and leadership experience. They empower their team to enable with data by relentlessly focusing beyond the 'what' (insight) to deliver the 'so what' (implication) and 'now what' (action). They demonstrate excellence across the business fundamentals and are proactive in their approach.

The Director achieves their business objectives by being a thought leader to our customers, coaching the team to deliver outstanding category stewardship, challenging the status quo, streamlining operations, strategically selling through unique insights in a captivating manner, and delivering KPIs: Sales, Profit, Market Share, Perfect Path 2 Purchase Distribution, Shelf, and Innovation. The Director’s ultimate success is defined by their ability to transform Category Leadership’s strategic impact and inspire their people to transform, develop, and grow, which is a unique balance to strike.

The Director sets Kroger's three-year Category Leadership strategy, guided by shopper insights, customer strategies, and KHC initiatives. The Director ensures that the category leadership function delivers on its vision of being a trusted and indispensable partner.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Minimum of 7 years of industry experience working with Kroger

• Minimum of 7 years working in Category Leadership function within a CPG organization

• Minimum of 3 years as a leader with +7 direct reports

• Experience in big data/shopper card data systems & harnesses into compelling stories

• Demonstrated ability to simplify complexity, prioritize tasks, and deliver customer-centric solutions

• Proven experience building strong customer relationships and influencing decisions through datadriven insights

• Strong proficiency in using shopper data, syndicated data, and market insights to drive category performance

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

• Strong organizational and project management skill

Location(s)

Cincinnati Sales

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.