CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

The Category Development Manager possesses extensive experience in sales management or brand management, ideally within B2B or B2C contexts, especially in the Food industry. Equipped with robust negotiation capabilities, employing a value selling approach, this role requires sound knowledge in category management and development. Exceptional communication, presentation, and influential skills are crucial, alongside strong analytical abilities and strategic thinking to drive category growth and consumer engagement.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Category Development Manager Resume
  • Category Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Financial Acumen
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Pricing Strategy
  • Data Analytics
  • Planogram Software
  • Product Development
  • Project Management
  • Digital Marketing
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Negotiation
  • Adaptability
  • Problem Solving
  • Influencing
  • Collaboration
  • Decision Making
  • Attention to Detail

Summary of Category Development Manager Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Business Administration with 3 years of Experience

  • Experience in analytics and/or customer facing category role.
  • Proficiency in POS data like Nielson, SPINS and IRI.
  • Up to date with the latest category management principles.
  • Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods
  • Proficient at evaluating current business retail practices.
  • Ability to write well and generate reports on market activity.
  • Possess great negotiation, interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Ability to think from a consumer perspective and understand buying behavior.
  • Analytical, creative, and goal-driven thinking.

2. BA in Marketing with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in sales planning or category management sales roles in CPG Industry
  • Knowledge of customer best practices, channel, shopper trends, and category insights
  • Proficient in CPG industry insights tools, such as Nielsen and IRI
  • MS Office proficiency, specifically Excel and Power Point
  • Highly motivated self-starter with strong project management skills
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to develop and deliver presentations
  • Possess persuasive leadership and influencing skills
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to develop and deliver presentations to senior leadership team and work effectively cross-functionally

3. BA in Economics with 10 years of Experience

  • Experience in sales management or brand management positions.
  • Background in B2B Sales or B2C Account Sales. 
  • Having worked in the Food category and experience in leading team
  • Strong negotiation skills using a value selling approach.
  • Sound knowledge and skills in category management and development.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and people influencing skills.
  • Strong customer and consumer insights
  • Analytical and ability to think strategically.
  • Sound financial and commercial acumen.
  • Excellent organizational skills, problem-solving skills.

4. BS in Marketing with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in space planning, space optimization, visual merchandise presentation or similar required
  • Utilization experience in visual merchandising, space planning and financial planning required
  • Ability to consistently apply sound judgment, work professionally, ethically and effectively as a member of a high performing team
  • Ability to establish rapport, a strong sense of partnership and maintain harmonious working relationships across all levels within the organization
  • Superior interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent time management skills, ability to both own and support multiple projects
  • Effectively prioritize and manage a large volume of work in support of objectives
  • Ability to remain organized, pay strict attention to detail, and meet critical deadlines within a high volume, fast-paced environment
  • Analytical mind set with strong problem solving abilities. 
  • Always thinking ahead and providing solutions to challenges set forth to meet consumer demand
  • Advanced knowledge of JDA Intactix Space platform, Oracle, SAS, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
  • Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures and rules governing professional staff behavior

5. BS in Finance with 8 years of Experience

  • Category development managerial experience within sales, marketing, trade marketing or commercial functions
  • Experience in training Customer Management Best Practice, Foundation of Strategic Category Marketing & Total Trade Spend Strategy
  • Demonstrated business planning & implementation skills (Project Management)
  • Possess strong communication, stakeholder management & presentation skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Nielsen/IRI, JDA (space management tool) and database management.
  • Clear understanding of how to pull data from Nielsen AOD or IRI Unify Platform (Syndicated POS), HH Panel and Retailer POS & Loyalty data.
  • Proven analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, uncover root causes of trends and deliver concise action-oriented recommendations on findings.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop category stories leveraging consumer and shopper knowledge (Kantar, Mintel, etc.).
  • Understanding of qualitative and quantitative shopper and consumer insight surveys and how to apply to business case scenarios.
  • Proven ability of being able to establish and maintain effective relationships with the customer, gain their trust and respect.
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