Head of Category

Position Title: Head of Category

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Position Location: Rosebank

Requisition ID: 32343

At McCain Foods, our customer-obsessed culture is not just a principle; its the heartbeat of our organization. We define our customers as our partners, and we strive to exceed their expectations through exceptional service and trusted collaboration.

We think big and plan ahead and are committed to reshaping the frozen potato industry, evolving beyond a fry company. Our focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer relevance drives us to explore new possibilities and challenge the status quo.

And to win, we bring out the best in our people, empowering every team member to play a vital role in delivering outstanding value. By inviting diverse perspectives and encouraging open dialogue, we create a safe space where every voice matters. Our leaders support and develop talent, recognizing that the journey is as important as the destination. When our people thrive, so does our company.

Join us in our journey to become the undisputed leader in frozen potatoes. Together, lets redefine the future of food, one delicious, planet-friendly bite at a time.

Purpose of the Role

The role is responsible to direct and drive category growth. It is required to optimise the performance of these categories in order to contribute to the overall success of McCain. It is further required to leverage the brand strategy and ensure that it is executed through identified channels.

Key Responsibilities And Performance Indicators

Category Strategy and Development

• Develops, category strategy and tactical plans for execution
• Builds collaborative partnerships with key customers
• Drives revenue growth in specific customer segments by designing customer value proposition

Insights

• Combines and applies advanced data analysis techniques to draw robust conclusions to complex problems
• Creates strong relationships with research partners and independently manages relevant research projects
• Identifies and plans complex research projects, briefs external partners and builds appropriate solutions in partnership with them to provide actionable recommendations
• Develops a fiscal data and research plan and budget based on AOC requirements

Operational Efficiency

• Partners with the demand planning team to align forecasts, inventory needs, and supply chain constraints taking into account category strategy, initiatives, etc.
• Compares actual performance metrics to the goals and benchmarks to identify where the category is underperforming or where there are inefficiencies
• Identifies potential risks to category operations, such as supply chain disruptions or market fluctuations, and develops strategies to mitigate these risks
• Ensures that category operations comply with relevant regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies.
• Provides regular reports and updates on category performance, key metrics and strategic initiatives to senior managment and other stakeholders.

Pricing and Promotion Strategy Development

• Creates a pricing and promotional strategy with explicit customer, competitor and P&L outcomes
• Ensures the plan and promotion strategies are fully integrated into commercial plans and AOC
• Assesses the ROI of the growth efforts, including analysis of costs associated with the growth strategies compared to the benefits achieved

Customer Development

• Builds and/or assesses, or coaches objectives (JBPs), leveraging McCain and customer insights, with rigorous follow up
• Develops level appropriate, mutually beneficial customer relationships with key influencers and decision makers
• Shares best practices of other customers across similar account opportunities

People Management

• Sets clear, achievable goals for the team in alignment with overall category objectives, and tracking progress towards these goals to ensure successful outcomes
• Inspires and motivates team members to achieve category goals, fostering a positive and productive work environment, and setting clear expectations and objectives

Job Holder Requirements

Technical Competencies

• Data & Analytics to Develop Insights
• Pricing and promotion strategy development
• Category Strategy Development
• Customer development
• Structured selling and negotiation
• Stakeholder Engagement

Education requirement

• Bachelors degree in marketing, Business Supply Chain or equivalent
• MBA preferred

Experience Required

• A minimum of 10 years in a Category Management position, from which at least 3 years within a leadership capacity.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

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Job Family: Sales; Marketing

Division: South Africa

Department: Commercial General Management

Location(s): ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Johannesburg

Company: McCain Foods (S Africa)