Category Development & Innovation Lead

  • All Posting Locations: Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL
  • Job Functions: Marketing
  • Date Published: October 22, 2024
  • Ref#: R-84029
  • Remote, Hybrid or Onsite: Hybrid

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About the Role

Job Description

About the position

We're looking for a Category Development & Innovation Lead to refine our category management strategy for new products across Europe & Pacific Developed Markets. In this role, you'll champion innovation within our Taste Elevation Platforms—encompassing Tomato Ketchup, Mayo & Condiments, Culinary Tomato, and New Ventures. Your mission will be to foster collaboration among our business units and key retail partners, crafting long-term strategies that emphasize category vision and market dynamics.

You will collaborate extensively with sales and marketing leadership teams across all EPDM markets, directly reporting to the Head of Category for Innovation & Growth. Join us in shaping the future of our product categories and driving our market leadership forward!

Key responsibilities

Market Overview & Insights

  • Review sales data and competitor performance to identify opportunities for growth and potential threats, translate market data into actionable insights that can inform strategic decisions
  • Continuously monitor the market to identify unmet consumer needs and emerging trends, and threats, that could be addressed within our portfolio
  • Work closely with platform teams to strengthen pipeline. Provide market insights (data driven & anecdotal retailer insights) to guide the development process
  • Clearly communicate category strategies and performance updates to internal stakeholders

Strategic Planning & Innovation Delivery

  • Develop innovation tracking best practice: Establish clear targets and key performance indicators for product categories. Build best in class category toolkit to support internal and external reporting and decision making
  • Evaluate Success of New Products: After launch support platforms and markets in the monitoring of performance of NPDS. Use this information to make recommendations for future improvements or new product developments.
  • Develop Category Growth Strategies: Create and implement growth strategies that align with overall business objectives

Engagement local category & sales teams

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with local category & sales teams.
  • Work closely with the local category & sales teams to support category growth and ensure mutual success
  • Engage with local category & sales teams to gather feedback and insights. Use this information to refine category strategies and ensure they meet customer needs
  • Create compelling selling stories and strategies that resonate with retailers to drive category growth
  • Represent the voice of our retail partners across platforms, providing the category and retailer lens in shaping future platforms’ pipeline
  • Lead external workshops

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of work experience in a commercial setting, with at least 3+ years in Category Management and a track record of building relationships with retailer partners
  • Knowledge: FMCG experience (marketing, commercial, sales, finance)
  • Highly proficient in English; a second European Language is helpful (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch)
  • Familiar with IRI, Kantar, Euro-monitor, and retailer data systems: for example Dunhumby
  • BSc/BA required; MSc preferred

Professional Attributes

Analytical: We’re a very data driven company. You know how to translate complex data into a simple solution with your analytical mindset.

Curiosity, positivity & enthusiasm: You’re curious, positive and enthusiastic. People know you as the driver of the team.

High pressure: you don’t get easily stressed by pressure, on the opposite, a demanding and dynamic environment is what keeps you energized.

Result driven: You don’t only focus on your own results, but always do what’s best for the company.

What we offer you

  • An ambitious employer; we only want the best for you.
  • A fast career track like only few other companies can match.
  • A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market); at Kraft Heinz we strongly believe and live by ownership and meritocracy.
  • A hybrid working model; because we believe the future of work is based on a building modern, adaptable, and agile workplace culture. 3 days from our office in Amsterdam and 2 days from home with additional 20 days per year to work from anywhere you want.
  • Additional benefits such as Commuting Allowance, Hybrid Work Allowance & Reimbursements, Bicycle & Gym Discount Plan, Employee Assistance Program, and Supplemental Health Insurance.
  • A wide range of discounts with Kraft Heinz’ partnerships on fashion, electronics, travels and many more.
  • Last but not least: There is always room for new insights. If you have an idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action.

Our Hiring Process

After the application and CV screening, you are invited to complete our Cognitive Assessment and will have an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Team. If positive, you will interview with

1. Head of Category for Innovation & Growth and HR Business Partner

2. Head of Portfolio and Innovation Growth Office and Cross-functional Interviewer.

All positive? Job offer!

Location(s)

Amsterdam

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

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HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

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Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

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Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

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R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

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Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

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Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

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Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

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Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

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