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Associate Category Manager – Family Dollar/Dollar Tree – Virginia Beach, VA

The Associate Category Manager position is responsible for providing support in managing category leadership solutions for Family Dollar/Dollar Tree for the Mars/Wrigley Confectionery businesses. This includes Chocolate Candy, Non-Chocolate Candy, Gum, Mints, and Snacks. This role is expected to provide fact and insight-based solutions that drive growth for the confectionery Category, FD/DT, and Mars/Wrigley. This role is a primary analytic and insight resource for our Category Management team at FD/DT in their efforts to lead and influence marketplace actions. The preferred candidate would have strong analytical skills to be effectively leveraged in order to influence a full understanding in optimizing distribution, assortment, pricing, placement, shelving, promotion, and merchandising for the Confectionery Category at FD/DT. Being proactive as well as building and maintaining strong relationships is crucial to successfully providing best in class Category insights that deliver recommendations to both external as well as internal stakeholders. 

This role is part of the Category Leadership organization and reports to the Value Channel Director of Category Leadership.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree

Nice to Have:

• 1-3 years of experience in Sales or Category Management
• Business Analytics skills or experience
• Experience in CPG and/or retail
• The knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent work experience
• Experience working with syndicated data software (i.e., IRI or Nielsen)
• Experience working in Assortment Planning or Space Management Software (i.e. Apollo, Intercept, JDA etc)
• Experience with promotional / non promotional strategy development
• Experience working with Microsoft Office programs specifically Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage cross functional/multi-task projects
• Strong strategic problem-solving skills
• Solid written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines
• The ability to travel less than 5% of the time
• Successful completion of a drug and background screen

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Work collaboratively with external/internal partners to develop and activate growth strategies and tactics for the confectionery category at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. 
• Work in support of the FD/DT Category Teams in order to create and plan category leadership solutions that deliver profitable sales growth for MW and the customer. These solutions should include shopper and category insights focused on products, assortment, placement, shelving, pricing, promotions, and merchandising optimization.
• Where appropriate, manage and deliver against the responsibilities of the Category Captaincy/Advisory process in partnership with Family Dollar and Dollar Tree.
• Influence the customer by identifying specific opportunities, assist with any research and testing projects to deliver category leadership solutions benefitting both FD/DT and the Confectionery Category.
• Be comfortable with, and utilize, best in class category tools and resources to bring solid category insights to the buyer.  Tools may include, but are not limited to the following:  IRI, Nielsen, syndicated and panel database resources, JDA, space management software, Nielsen ASO Incrementality tool, market research findings, etc.
• Serve as the primary team resource for Category reporting and scorecarding.
• Serve as the primary team resource for planogram development and delivery to both Family Dollar and Dollar Tree.
• Evaluate/ monitor all customer category leadership solutions, turn analysis into recommended action and continually improve to be more effective and efficient in executing business building opportunities at FD/DT.
• Must be able to confidently present to internal and external leadership business partners.

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package. 
• To be respected and valued.
• The Five Principles at the center of every decision we make
• The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.