Manager for Category Planning and Management

Job Title: Associate Manager for Category Planning & Management 

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Summary:  

The EU Senior Category Planning Manager will be part of the EU Business Development Team and will report to the Senior Business Development Manager Europe. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic category plans for our brands in the EU European Markets. The Category Planning Manager will work to optimize category performance, drive significant sales growth, and enhance brand penetration in key European markets (mainly Germany,Netherlands, France, Portugal & Spain).

Summary of Major Duties:

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  

• Must be able to supervise or handle numerous projects at one time and meet fast turnaround deadline
• Has a good balance of empirical data and common sense and “gut feel”
• Able to synthesize data from different sources into a well-structured story with clear implications
• Able to create persuasive and stimulating presentations
• Able to explain, articulate and develop clear thinking and point-of-view in all meetings and communication scenarios
• Develop and establish innovation documents and project briefs, communicating and presenting to relevant people and functions to ensure that initiatives are supported, project managed and excellence is achieved
• Good interpersonal, intercultural and influence skills
• Experience in using Circana & Nielsen database software to extract data and prepare recommendations and reports
• Competent in PC packages including Excel, Word and Power Point

Competencies:  

Business Acumen

Leverages business judgment to shape strategy, based on understanding of operational, commercial, financial, and organizational requirements and capabilities.  Understands the Hershey business units, regions, and functions, and the manufacturing, commercialization and market access of its products and services.

Drive for Results

Resourceful in finding solutions. Pushes self and others to exceed goals and achieve breakthrough results. Recognizes the key actions necessary to achieve results, establishes and communicates the priorities to others, and maintains own and others focus on achieving the important goals. Demonstrates persistence in removing barriers to achieving results, and encourages others to do the same.

Consumer Focus

Builds a culture that strives to exceed consumer needs and is creatively challenged by and responsive to consumer experiences.  Creates clarity within the organization of what successfully meeting consumer needs looks like. Gives priority to consumer needs and makes organizational adjustments based on continuously reevaluating how well consumer needs are being met.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  

 Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years working experience in marketing departments (preferably in innovations) of international Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
• Strong project management skills, with prioritization and ability to work under pressure with sizeable workloads and tight deadlines
• Strong knowledge of business process, key functions and data analysis
• Ability to understand and drive an impactful P&L
• Proactive in finding creative solutions outside of scope
• Circana/Nielsen proficient is a preference
• An understanding of EU and/or German retailers, channels and consumers within chocolate category is a preference