Category Specialist

Work Setup: Hybrid (Open to remote work for those outside Metro Manila)

Location: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Summary:

The Category Specialist would build customer specific planograms for key accounts, lead planogram projects for snacking category, lead adhoc/minor project intakes, and serve as SME (COT specific) who trains customers on process and procedures as needed.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Business Operational/ Category Management Support (60%)

• Lead Planogram Projects for Snacking Category
• Build customer specific planograms using JDA software for key accounts
• Work with customer and IRI point of sale data (consumption)
• Where applicable use customer loyalty data (Market Basket)
• Apply shopper insights into the planogram logic
• Work closely with Global teams to iterate planograms to generate optimal output
• Generate key performance indicator reports such as space to sales, $ per linear inch or foot, and weeks of supply (capacity)
• Deliver Business Operational Metrics, KPIs and SLA commitments and cascade reports in a timely manner

 Account Management/Project Management (25%)

• Build and maintain effective relationships with Global Insights and Knowledge Managers/ Business Unit
• Provide high degree of one-stop-inquiry for Global Insights Business Managers/ Business Unit by acting as the sole contact for a category related data
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with US based GKI personnel to modify reports that are timely, actionable and accurate
• Communication and Collaboration: Responsible for timely updates, reporting to customers, identifying issues, analyzing issue root causes and leading the resolution of those issues

Subject Matter Expert - COT Specific (15%)

• Ensures updated and timely education of assigned COT/Retailers
• Can determine frequency by which knowledge materials need to be updated, determine content and design training materials, based on future trends and strategies, as well as execute training of such
• Act as the “go to” person for questions and concerns within his/her area of expertise

Competencies:

Leadership. Understands and promotes a shared vision; promotes understanding and a positive attitude toward the changing environment; ensures that others have the tools and resources to excel; seeks and creates opportunities to build and expand the business; stays on task and is not discouraged when dealing with changing priorities; attacks multiple issues and tasks at one time.

Team Approach. Initiates and fosters open dialogue across the organization; integrates individual, group, and organizational goals; collaborates with others to increase opportunities for success; focuses the team on ensuring, enhancing, and exceeding customer expectations; forms alliances and coalitions across functional areas; recognizes the interdependence of team members throughout the organization.

Customer Focused and Results Oriented. Understands issues from the customers’ perspective; considers the impact of decisions, processes, services on the customer; demonstrates passion for providing excellent customer service; treats customers with respect and care and uses a variety of approaches to identify customer needs; conveys a sense of urgency to get things done; ensures that there are necessary resources available for resolution of escalated customer issues; monitors the quality resolution of customer issues.

Problem Solving. Detailed oriented; uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; effectively researches and probes all sources for answers; can see/recognize hidden problems and look beyond the obvious.

Learning. Learns from personal successes and failures and those of others and applies learning to new situations; learns quickly when facing new problems; versatile and experiments to try to find solutions; open to change; enjoys the challenge of an unfamiliar task.

Listening and Interpersonal Skills. Practices attentive and active listening and has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the views of others even when he/she personally disagrees; relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and across the internal organization and externally; builds rapport quickly; develops constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse high-tension situations comfortably.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, Marketing or Business Administration (or any related field)

Experience:

• At least 2 to 3 years of CPG/merchandise experience
• Knowledge and experience in Planograming 
• Knowledgeable in Space Planning software such as JDA (strong preference), Space Man, Apollo
• Knowledge and experience in market research is a plus
• Knowledge in JDA or any space planning software and IRI Unify is a plus
• Proficient in Excel/Access and ability to quickly learn and assess viability of other analytic tools
• Prioritization: must be able to manage multiple and sometimes conflicting or ambiguous priorities, extended work schedules, and short time constraints
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Prior experience in positions requiring strong analytical acumen preferred
• Prior experience working in multiple functions (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Strategy, etc.) highly desirable
• Prior experience working with external customers (retailers) desirable
• Amenable to a shifting schedule of morning shift (7:30 am to 4:30 pm) and mid shift (3:00 pm to 12 midnight)

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