Head of Category Development

Job Description

About the Position

We have an excellent leadership opportunity available for an experienced Head of Category Development to make a real difference at Kraft Heinz. The role lies within the UK Commercial Structure and will be a part of the Sales Leadership team. This is a parental leave fixed-term-contract cover with an initial 9-month period.

What you’ll do:

• Be the leading and impartial voice of the category and the shopper internally

• This role will lead the creation of compelling, insight led, category growth plans (from vision and execution) – which will be aligned to the needs of Kraft Heinz, our customers and consumers.
• This role will work closely with the Sales Leadership team in developing and nurturing closer and more strategic customer relationships – including senior customer engagement to help build the strategic agenda.
• This role is the functional lead for all category development team members across each the three Kraft Heinz category teams and will be responsible for their coaching and development – enabling them to execute range reviews, strategic plans and support the creation of excellent sell-in materials, for the category initiatives.
• Working alongside the marketing teams, this role will represent the voice of the category to support brand planning, innovation development and deployment through an understanding of the needs of customer’s category and its shoppers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant category leadership and commercial experience with demonstrable record of success and career advancement in Category Management, Consumer/Shopper Insight and/or Sales 
• Strong command of data analysis and insight generation, particularly in shopper.
• Technical proficiencies in Kantar, IRI, Dunnhumby etc.
• Proven track record of problem solving as an owner, taking on entrepreneurial challenges and simplifying the complex
• Evidence of flexibility, agility and use of initiative to solve challenges
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Professional Attributes

• Communication Skills
  • At Kraft Heinz you’ll be exposed to senior management, no matter your level. Therefore, it’s important you have excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify and deal with all kinds of different stakeholders.
• Strategic Vision 
  • Proven experience in creating and deploying category strategy and vision
• Problem Solver
  • Proven track record of problem solving as an owner, taking on entrepreneurial challenges and simplifying the complex
• Analytical 
  • We’re a very data driven company. You know how to translate complex data into a simple solution
• Relationship Builder
  • Able to work comfortably in a matrix organizational structure and build strong relationships internally across functions and externally with customers
• Result Driven
  • You don’t only focus on your own results, but always do what’s best for the company and the brand.

What we offer you

• An ambitious employer; we only want to the best for our people!
• Trainings and coaching to help develop your skills and behaviours
• A career track like only few other companies can match
• Flexible and hybrid working approach (3 from the office or with customers / 2 from home)
• Family-friendly and inclusive work environment
• Competitive benefits package to support mental, physical, financial and social well-being
• A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market)
• Always room for new ideas; if you have a good idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

Location(s)

London – The Shard

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