Sr. Category Manager, Beauty & Personal Care

OVERVIEW

Responsible for translating category growth strategies into actionable customer and channel plans. This role partners closely with retailer teams and cross-functional teams (Sales, Cat Strat, Shopper Marketing, CMI, CS&P) to deliver category growth, improve shopper experience, and drive mutual value creation.
You will act as a category expert and strategic advisor to the customer, leveraging data, insights, and analytics to influence assortment, merchandising, pricing, and promotion decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Insights
o Develop and execute category growth strategies at the customer level aligned to broader business objectives
o Translate shopper, consumer, and marketplace insights into actionable recommendations
o Identify whitespace opportunities and growth drivers across assortment, pricing, and shelf

Customer Partnership
o Build trusted advisor relationships with retailer buyers and merchandising teams
o Lead category reviews and be a crucial contributor to line reviews and joint business planning (JBP) discussions
o Deliver fact-based sell-in stories that influence retailer decisions
o Contribute to retailer strategy to influence future 3-year growth spaces

Assortment & Shelf (POG) Optimization
o Lead planogram development and optimization using data and analytics tools
o Advise on assortment, flow, shelving, and space allocation
o Ensure alignment to category roles, shopper needs, retailer initiatives, and consumer research
o Able to assist with POG versioning needs and onsite set room work for major and minor resets and cut ins as needed

Performance Tracking & Reporting
o Monitor category and brand performance using POS, panel, and shopper data
o Identify risks and opportunities and build action plans to address gaps
o Deliver regular and ad hoc reporting and insights to internal and external stakeholders

Execution Excellence
o Support execution of category initiatives through data and insights driven storytelling (resets, innovation launches, merchandising programs)
o Maintain accuracy and integrity of category tools, data, and reporting systems
o Drive continuous improvement in ways of working and tools

Key Skills & Capabilities
o Strong analytical and data interpretation skills (POS, panel, shopper data)
o Ability to translate insights into compelling stories for customers
o Strategic thinking with a strong understanding of category drivers
o Effective stakeholder management and influencing skills
o Strong communication and storytelling capabilities
o High attention to detail with ability to manage multiple priorities

Leadership Expectations
o Demonstrates strong ownership of deliverables and results
o Works independently while collaborating effectively across teams
o Influences without direct authority
o Shows curiosity, initiative, and continuous improvement mindset
o Communicates clearly and confidently with internal and external stakeholders
o Willingness and ability to travel as required for set room activity and as needed for retailer relationship management
o Ability and eagerness to manage and coach employees

Pay: The pay range for this position is $119,400 to $179,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

Originally posted on Himalayas