Director, Category Management C&T (405 TWM)

Job summary

This role leads the Cheese & Tablespreads Division’s category management strategy and execution across all channels. The Director will manage a team to optimize assortment, pricing, shelf space, and promotional strategies while collaborating with sales and leadership.

Job details

About Us: Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey. Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more! JOB PURPOSE This role will lead Lactalis Canada Cheese & Tablespreads Division’s category management vision including the short- and long-term strategy and execution, across all channels. This role will collaborate with the customer, the commercial Sales team and Divisional leadership with the goal of driving industry leading category plans, balancing the customer, shopper and Lactalis Canada outcomes. The Director, Category Management will lead a team of category managers and category information managers responsible for the day to day execution of our assortment, pricing, shelf space and promotion optimization strategies (4Ps). The Director, Category Management will play a critical role on the Cheese & Tablespreads Division leadership team as we work towards becoming our customers most valued dairy case partner. RESPONSIBILITY * University Degree or college diploma * 8-10 years of experience, ideally in CPG industries. A strong working knowledge of Nielsen and other key data sources (Key Account POS Data Systems) as well as Space Management experience * Working knowledge of key internal data resources and processes * Strong PowerPoint and communication skills. * Brand and/or customer experience * Strong people leadership and interpersonal skills. Self-motivated, customer focused & creative thinker * Effective communicator including experience collaborating and influencing cross-functional teams. Strong negotiation skills and ability to convince and persuade others on new ideas * Profound understanding of category management and the use of Nielsen information in a fact-based selling application * Advanced analytics experience and the ability to translate data into insights and into action * Superior project management & presentation skills * A solid understanding of our categories, our overall business, the financials, SKU mix, products, the market, and the needs of each of our customers. Proven track record of delivering sustainable results and problem-solving * Able to manage multiple and competing priorities through effective organizational, people, time management skills * Proficient with standard office computer technology including Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word , & PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.,), and space management software (Prospace/Inactix, Apollo) as well as strong administration skills QUALIFICATIONS * University Degree or college diploma * 8-10 years of experience, ideally in CPG industries. A strong working knowledge of Nielsen and other key data sources (Key Account POS Data Systems) as well as Space Management experience * Working knowledge of key internal data resources and processes * Strong PowerPoint and communication skills. * Brand and/or customer experience * Strong people leadership and interpersonal skills. Self-motivated, customer focused & creative thinker * Effective communicator including experience collaborating and influencing cross-functional teams. Strong negotiation skills and ability to convince and persuade others on new ideas * Profound understanding of category management and the use of Nielsen information in a fact-based selling application * Advanced analytics experience and the ability to translate data into insights and into action * Superior project management & presentation skills * A solid understanding of our categories, our overall business, the financials, SKU mix, products, the market, and the needs of each of our customers. Proven track record of delivering sustainable results and problem-solving * Able to manage multiple and competing priorities through effective organizational, people, time management skills * Proficient with standard office computer technology including Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word , & PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.,), and space management software (Prospace/Inactix, Apollo) as well as strong administration skills This job description is intended to summarize the overall level of responsibility of the job and is not an exhaustive list of all the duties performed. COMPETENCY Care Dare Inspire Share What Lactalis will offer: Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks: * A Competitive Base Salary * A Performance-Based Bonus System * 5 Weeks of Vacation * Benefits starting day 1 * A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6% * Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year * A Volunteer Day to give back to your community * Learning and Development opportunities * A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility Our ESG commitment: Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do. At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world. Our commitment to DEI: Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities. We apply an equal access to employment program and invite women, aboriginal people, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply. Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained. Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer. Compensation: As part of our commitment to fairness, trust, and transparency and our ambition to be an Employer of Choice, the base salary range for this position is: $144,800.00–$181,000.00 . Please note: Along with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, your actual base salary will be fair, competitive, and be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications.

What you’ll do

This role leads the Cheese & Tablespreads Division’s category management strategy and execution across all channels. The Director will manage a team to optimize assortment, pricing, shelf space, and promotional strategies while collaborating with sales and leadership.

Requirements

Candidates must have 8-10 years of experience in CPG industries and a university degree or college diploma. Proficiency in Nielsen data, space management software, and strong leadership and analytical skills are required.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus system • 4 weeks of vacation • Benefits starting day 1 • Pension program with employer match • Tuition reimbursement plan • Volunteer day • Learning and development opportunities • Internal career advancement

Listed skills

• Problem solving · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred
• People leadership · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Cross-Functional Collaboration · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Category management
• Strategic planning
• Data analysis
• Nielsen data
• Space management
• People leadership
• Communication
• Negotiation
• Project management
• Presentation skills
• Financial acumen
• Problem-solving
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Microsoft Office
• Prospace
• Apollo
• Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG)
• Category Planning
• Advanced Analytics
• Self-Motivation
• Microsoft Excel
• Business To Business
• Management
• Category Management
• Customer Service
• Computer Science
• Confidentiality
• Selling Techniques
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Interpersonal Communications
• Problem Solving
• Project Management Software
• Project Management
• Microsoft Outlook
• Persuasive Communication
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Presentations
• Time Management
• Balancing (Ledger/Billing)

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Sales
• Marketing
• Food & Beverage
• Data & Analytics
• Director of Category Management
• Director of Project Management
• Management and Organization Analysts
• Project Management Specialists