Category Developer - United/Diageo Team

Job Description

The Category Developer is the sales lead for their assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. They are focused against increasing share and velocity of their assigned commodity using tactics that help sell-in the right brands to customers and sell-out to consumers via planning and execution of brand activations.

This role must maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the supplier accounts and be the 'go-to' consultant for the accounts. The Category Developer will be active with in-market events and education. Our Category Developers will be required to participate in a two-week 'in-person' Academy Category Training.

Job Responsibilities

• Drive and delivery on sales and marketing goals of assigned category and brands
• Serve as the expert and resource for the division or group in developing beverage and marketing strategies and plans for growth of assigned category
• Research trends, category, and portfolio to ensure that the group or division and company meet supplier goals as established
• Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews
• Plan high-end consumer activations within key accounts to elevate category awareness based on customer needs
• Drive real time market insights to inform, apply, unlock and accelerate growth
• Lead, organize, report, field intel and insights for assigned territory and categories
• Collaborate with on-premise & retail sales teams, developing creative solutions to help drive business and growth in assigned categories across their assigned territory
• Develop and deliver training modules to the sales team, customer, and supplier regarding sales trends
• Determine specific areas in which the category has opportunity for growth (Territories, Accounts, etc)
• Establish merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier
• Own ownership of account plan and execution based on brand plans
• Obtain appropriate distribution of category throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands’ features and benefits
• Conduct staff educations and building of the category
• Maintain and build strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the assigned accounts
• Participate in supplier and category specific work-with sales calls
• Attend educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks to build and maintain industry knowledge
• Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience
• Minimum of 3 years in sales or industry related experience
• Deep knowledge of category or responsibility that this role will support
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Proficient PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software
• Results-oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills
• Ability to multi-task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines
• Analytic and Reporting skills
• Utilize sound judgement and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in industry or related and category expertise experience; such as: CSS Certification or WSET Spirits level 2; or Category specific certifications (Whiskey or Tequila)
• On-premise/hospitality experience
• Strong understand or background of consumer engagement mechanics