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.
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
At the heart of this journey is our ambition to create an enterprise where powerful AI solutions augment humans and where small mission-based teams are in relentless pursuit to solve tangible problems for our consumers, customers, and the enterprise. That ambition requires us to create a modern cloud and data ecosystem - a one of its kind that becomes the neural network of our company. We want you to bring your tech-self to us. We use Python, R, Spark, React, Tableau, Snowflake, Azure, and others to solve the problem on hand. In-turn, you can look forward to high-impact challenges, no bureaucracy, entrepreneurial small teams, and a unique opportunity to create and build something bold, awesome, and impactful – all while honoring our 150-year heritage and a portfolio of 200 iconic and emerging brands!
Why Work With Us
Our ambition is to become a best-in-class Digital leader by making data-driven investments that drive smarter business decisions. You’ll invent the next wave of augmented intelligence products where software & humans work side-by-side to rethink every aspect of our company. You’ll make an imprint & leave your legacy on every part of our business.
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Kraft Heinz Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We also believe providing a more flexible and agile model is essential in today’s workplace. A majority of our office-based employees will be able to work remotely for up to two days each week.
