Copy of Category Development Manager

ITW Global Brands specializes in servicing the Auto Aftermarket, selling car care products under the Black Magic®, Blue Coral®, Fast Orange®, Fix-A-Flat®, Genuine Innovations®, Gumout®, No Touch®, Permatex®, Rain-X®, Slime®, and Spray Nine® brands. These brands compete in the wiper blade, engine repair, hand cleaner, appearance, cleaners & degreasers, tire repair and performance products segments of the Automotive Aftermarket. Many of our brands are #1 in their respective categories.

We’re committed to investing in our people and aim to support our colleagues in their development and long-term career growth with ITW. Our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture empowers you to think and act like a business owner. We aspire for everyone to perform to their full potential and value the unique and diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas that makes us better together. The ITW Business Model gives us the tools to focus on what’s most important, and we’re grounded in our values of Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect and Shared Risk. We’re proud of what we do and even more proud of how we do it.

Summary:

The Category Development Manager will support the Auto Retail Channel to bring about unique growth solutions by means of consumer insights, data analysis, market assessment, and assortment planning. The day-to-day function will be working with the applicable buyers to drive topline sales and share for assigned categories. This position will have a strong understanding of the retail marketplace and Category Management principles with expertise in merchandising, pricing, project management, promotion, leadership and sales. 

This position will have a strong understanding of the retail marketplace and Category Management principles with expertise in merchandising, pricing, project management, promotion, leadership and sales. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop strong relationships, trust and credibility with key customers to build, execute, monitor strategies and tactics to drive category growth for applicable categories across the ITW Global Brands participating product portfolios.
• Responsible to deliver fully integrated consumer, category and market insights to guide the customer’s strategy and tactical actions, while providing market leading growth in the advisor role by means of:
  • Weekly/monthly category specific reporting, sales performance, market share, regional performance, brand performance, custom reporting, promotional ad tracking, and weather-related insights to the retailer.
• Lead development of category overviews, action plans and modular execution relays for assigned accounts.
• Utilization of Category Management capabilities including planogram software, data visualization tools, market, and syndicated data sources to develop recommendations and drive business opportunities.
• Monitor industry market trends and activity to identify opportunities and threats related to supported categories while maintaining NDA compliance.
• Frequent store visits and semi-annual market visits to understand competitive promotional activity, shelf sets, and pricing.
• Partner with ITW Category Management team to provide bi-annual category pricing surveys, monthly ad tracking, and contribute to ad hoc Category Management projects as needed.
• Work collaboratively with field sales, marketing and brand to communicate emerging trends and opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field (MBA a plus)
• 5+ years CPG experience (3+ years of which is Category Management and Sales related)
• Strategic thinking, self-starter with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with aggressive deadlines
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet the needs of various functional areas
• Strong analytical skills with ability to analyze, understand and interpret point of sale and syndicated data
• Proven ability to incorporate and transfer Category, Consumer and Shopper information into actionable insights and recommendations
• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of an organization, including Senior-level management
• Systems proficiency – Microsoft Suite: Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Word, Outlook, and syndicated data sources (Circana)
• Experience with Numerator a plus
• Up to 20% travel

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms and regularly required to walk.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

ITW is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes. To be considered an applicant, please apply online to a specific job posting.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the online application system process due to your disability, please click here for information on how to contact us directly. 

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ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.