Sr. Manager, Category Management

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment.

About the role

The Category Manager has responsibility for a product/category portfolio and works cross-functionally across all levels of the organization to create, influence, and implement strategies, initiatives, and key decisions which increase profit and accelerate growth.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth of the product/category portfolio and deliver EBITDA for assigned categories per budget.
• Manage category budget P&L.
• Manage category portfolio from product introduction to commercialization, renovation, and rationalization.
• Use key external market dynamics (consumer trends, customer needs, competitive actions, and input costs) and their link to internal capabilities and strategic objectives to inform category strategy.
• Be a product category expert: Gather, research, synthesize, and leverage insights to support a data-driven point of view and develop recommendations for performance improvement and customer development.
• Identify, develop, and direct implementation of strategies that build and capitalize on competitive advantages, challenge the status quo, and advance the overall health of the business.
• Present high-level and detailed plans; listen to and influence leadership and teams across the organization.
• Recommend and drive cross-functional actions and decisions, including product choice, pricing, and initiative prioritization.
• Manage the short/medium-term execution plan for key initiatives.
• Use category knowledge and insights to overcome organizational roadblocks.
• Identify opportunities for strengthening the assigned category and brand P&Ls, collaborating with and influencing key stakeholders across the organization.
• Implement commercialization plans with cross-functional team (Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, etc.) ensuring effective execution on time and within budget.
• In tandem with Category Director, participate in contract discussions (directly and/or indirectly) and coordinate with cross-functional team to ensure positive outcomes for Saputo.
• Improve processes, capabilities, and tools across the broader cross-functional team.

Requirements

• 6-10+ years in commercially focused roles within consumer-packaged goods.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, related field, or equivalent experience (MBA preferred).
• Experience in the development of strategic business plans, business cases, and category management for new and existing categories.
• P&L Management, product lifecycle management, and budget accountability.
• Excellent and effective communication and facilitation skills – able to lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience in brand or product management (basic understanding of consumer and category marketing/insights concepts and terminology required).
• Excellent presentation and influencing skills.
• Enjoy strategic and analytical work.
• Demonstrated history of project management with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong strategic thinker with ability to translate vision and opportunity to go-to-market plans.
• Ability to translate marketplace insights, competitive activity, and consumer needs into business implications and action.
• Experience leveraging consumer and shopper insight to deliver empirically successful commercial action (IRI, Technmonic, Datassentials, NPD Crest).
• Demonstrated ability to manage a wide breadth of projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Travel approximately 25% of the time.

Benefits

• Development opportunities that enhance career fulfillment.
• Meaningful compensation & benefits that help you care for your family.
• Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products.

Pay

Salary range: $107,305 - $140,895. Salary offers will vary commensurate with experience, education, skills, and training.

Schedule

Hybrid office (4 days in office, 1 day remote).