Category Manager, Consumer Care, UK

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people's lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all - a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.

As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World's Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do - acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.  As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

Purpose of the Position

A key member of the C&I team for our UK Consumer Care Business, this role will report into the Category Controller and partner closely with the UK Commercial team and retailers to identify opportunities to drive the skincare categories in line with business objectives. Internally, the role will collaborate with the UK & Global Marketing teams to uncover relevant brand & category opportunities. This role focuses on turning data insights into compelling category stories driving growth.

Education, Professional Experience and Other Requirements

• BSc/BA hons degree or equivalent
• FMCG commercial experience 3- 5 years
• Trade Marketing or Category Management 2-3 years
• Beauty background preferred
• Proficient user of Excel and Powerpoint
• Proficient user of Circana/Nielsen/Kantar self serve tools
• Independent user of SIP, Dunnhumby, Boots Gateway

Position Profile

• Support the development and implementation of a differentiated vision and strategy for allocated categories across retail channels to influence the strategic and tactical choices of retailers .
• Identifying category & shopper trends and translating these into actionable insight for Kao and customers. 
• Build strong relationships and set up regular meetings with the trade to ensure KAO becomes key partner ongoing and during key initiatives
• Responsible for recommending specific store placements and distribution for current and new products in assigned categories
• Identifying optimum range line-up and merchandising flow 
• Extracting, filtering, analysing and presenting market data to UK team and customers on a regular basis using different tools/sources as needed. 
• Excellent trade presentations that translate vision into first class actionable customer plans
• Monitor competitor activity in allocated categories and across channels to understand performance drivers
• Set up relevant trackers to monitor NPD activity
• Compile and present competitor overviews, including NPD strategy
• Continuously monitor Category trends and developments and share relevant updates internally and with key customers using appropriate forums/media
• Support internal innovation stagegate processes prior to NPD launch
• Support GTM brand and sales planning & process 
• Support and present ad hoc analyses on internal business questions & initiatives

Functional Competencies

• Leading the thinking and development of retailers for allocated categories and Kao channel strategies to ensure both customers and Kao win in the market
• Identifying opportunities to grow the Kao business profitably with customers and embed these opportunities within the Kao customer and marketing teams
• Influencing retailer macro and micro in-store space decisions to maximise on-shelf presence and standout for Kao products
• Influencing retailer ranging decisions to ensure maximum SKU distribution for Kao products and showcase BIC merchandising and fixturisation
• Needing to anticipate and identify retailer and competitor challenges and strategic and tactical threats and defending against these with compelling arguments and rationales making the most of our data sources.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community. 

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/) or EMEA website (https://www.kao.com/emea/en/)

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