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Category Manager – Dollar General (Seasonal & Snacks)

Nashville, TN

The Seasonal and Snacks Category Manager serves as a trusted partner to Dollar General and is responsible for managing category leadership solutions for one of Mars-Wrigley’s largest strategic customers.  This role is primarily focused on developing strategy for the Mars-Wrigley Seasonal and Snacks portfolio of products.  This involves work across all MW businesses tied to seasonal and snacks including Chocolate, Fruity Confections, Gum, Mints, Combos, Kind, Nature’s Bakery, etc.  This role is expected to provide fact and insight-based solutions that drive growth for the category within the Key Confectionery Seasons including Valentines, Easter, Halloween, and Holiday.  Utilizing shopper insight, opportunity identification, and full understanding of products, assortment, pricing, placement, shelving, promotion, and merchandising; this role is the primary insight provider for our Seasonal and Snacks businesses at Dollar General leading to marketplace actions. This role will work closely with internal and external partners and must be excellent at penetrating key decisions makers at the buying team level.

Reporting to the Director of Category Leadership for the Mars Wrigley Value Channel Team, this role is part of the Category Management organization.

What are we looking for?

• 2-4 years of experience in Category Management or Sales
• Business analytics 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, 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
• Successful completion of a drug and background screen
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Nice to Have:

• 4+ years of experience in Category Management or Sales
• 2+ year of business analytics experience
• Previous experience in managing Seasonal Confectionery businesses
• Sales experience would be a plus, but not required
• Solid knowledge of Marketing Research and Strategy
• Experience in project development and partnering with large strategic retail customers
• Shopper Insights knowledge
• Advanced data mining experience including shopper loyalty card and household panel data
• Advanced degree

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Collaborate with Internal cross-functional teams and Account Teams to ensure Create and plan category leadership solutions that deliver profitable sales growth for Dollar General and MW across key Seasonal timeframes and Snacking. These solutions should include deliver shopper and category insights across: products/ assortment, placement, shelving, merchandising, pricing, and promotions focused on Seasonal and Snacks that align to Category Vision and strategy.
• Where appropriate, manage and deliver against the responsibilities of the Category Captaincy/Advisory process in partnership with Dollar General.
• Influence the customer by identifying specific opportunities, assist with any research and lead projects to deliver category leadership solutions benefitting both Dollar General and the category across Seasons & Snacks.
• Influence Annual Account Business Planning at Dollar General focused on Seasons & Snacks, through full partnering with sales team, by providing actionable category insights and solutions that support category leadership objectives for customer, company, and category
• Identify specific research opportunities (shopper, consumer, etc.) to bring new learning to category leadership solutions within the key seasons.
• Execute all agreed to category leadership solutions with Dollar General to include success measures and detailed follow through
• Evaluate/ monitor all customer category leadership solutions, turn analysis into recommended action and continually improve to be more effective and efficient for category and Dollar General.
• Leverage insights and resources through the utilization of a broad range of data sources, market research findings, tools, analyses, and technology to continually bring new Seasonal & Snacking shopper ideas to Dollar General and Mars Wrigley; incorporate in all category solutions for Dollar General.

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.
• Company vehicle provided with position.

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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.