Category Strategy Manager

WHO ARE WE?

 We are the Wellbeing Collective, an exciting new Global Business Unit within Unilever built with a start-up mindset. In North America these include OLLY, Liquid I.V., SmartyPants, Welly, Onnit and Nutrafol. Each of these companies has a fantastic variety of benefit-led products, with strong innovation and growth potential. Our mission, with our science-backed and disruptive portfolio, is to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of consumers and become a leading Health and Wellness organization.

As part of the Wellbeing Collective (WBC), we have one customer facing account team across OLLY, ONNIT, SmartyPants and Welly. Each of these companies has a fantastic variety of benefit-led products, with strong innovation and growth potential. Being part of the WBC offers the opportunity to represent more brands, and provide one voice to our customers, while also developing best in class capabilities. This is a remarkable group of people who have come together to work across several of the different operating companies.

THE ROLE: CATEGORY STRATEGY MANAGER

Reporting to the Category Strategy Senior Director, this person will serve as a key member of our team and will be an important asset to our continued growth. This position will help set the Vitamin category strategy for the future by producing key selling materials, proactively conducting high quality analysis, and synthesizing multiple data sources to develop clear recommendations for category and brand growth.  This role requires experience, independence, and the ability to actively identify opportunities through thought leadership and analytics + insights.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a Vitamin category expert by analyzing data to provide tools, stories, and recommendations to grow the VMS category including assortment, shelving, and competitor dynamics 
• Drive accelerated growth across all our VMS OpCos by leveraging data and insights to drive strategic action 
• Provide national channel recommendations including shelving and assortment for all customers 
• Own inputs for internal company touchpoints such as Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews and Monthly Planning Sessions as well as drive consistency across syndicated scorecards 
• Aid with strategic initiatives and growth planning (ASP, JBP, etc.) with key retailers 
• Support Category Strategy Senior Director with Innovation support for the VMS Operating Companies such as market sizing, category assessment, and opportunity analysis in conjunction with Brand Innovation Teams 
• Support Category Strategy Senior Director with post-launch support of Brand Teams in understanding shelving placement and competitive launches 
• Partner with the Category Strategy Senior Director to identify additional national selling materials and growth opportunities as it relates to both internal initiatives (long range planning, AOP) and external initiatives (line reviews, customer JBPs) 
• Own Category Growth Story, Segment 101s, and National Sales Toolkit/Meeting Category materials with aid of Senior Associate 
• Conduct Ad Hoc category deep dives to provide inputs to drive strategic direction for the VMS Operating Companies (i.e. Channel Shifting Dynamics, Channel Strategies, consumer shopper behavior, etc.) with support of Senior Associate 
• Provide consumer buyer behavior perspective to the Operating Companies in order to inform strategy 
• Live our team values of BE YOURSELF, BE DISRUPTIVE, BE PASSIONATE, BE SUPPORTIVE and make life better for all of us! 

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED

• 3-10 years of experience in Category Management and/or Sales Analytics​ 
• Ability to identify trends, problems, or stories within multiple data sources and translate into insights and stories for actionable growth 
• Category Management – developing 360 recommendations for national execution and all classes of trade including assortment, shelving, category growth story, brand sell stories, and overall trends​ 
• Proven ability to analyze and identify opportunities for growth with key retailers and bring them to life​ 
• Solid written and verbal communication skills that includes key actionable takeaways and the ‘so what’ solutions  
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback 
• Proficiency in utilizing syndicated databases, Microsoft Suite tools, and Power BI (IRI, Nielsen, Numerator)​ 
• Experience building, validating, and communication shelf recommendations to unlock brand, retailer, and category growth 
• Passion for sales and a strong desire to build a transformational brand in today’s marketplace​ 
• Understanding of working with retailers in all classes of trade​, particularly Amazon, Mass, and Club channels 
• Experience with cross functional collaboration, particularly Brand/Innovation, Consumer Insights, Category Development, and Field Sales 
• Experience with a high-performance field organization, sales planning, and broker network​ 
• Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and self-motivated​ 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS 

• Initial video screen with a member of our Talent team 
• Round 1: Conversation with the Hiring Manager + 1-2 conversations with other team members
• Round 2: 2-3 conversations with team or cross-functional partners 
• Final Round: Homework* 

*Our final round is called Homework. Candidates who participate in this round are given 3 questions in advance to answer and present to the interview panel they previously spoke with in the process. We understand every candidate is different. If you need a reasonable accommodation to adjust this procedure, please let us know as possible so that we can evaluate and provide other options that work for your needs 

THE DETAILS 

LOCATION: Remote, USA 

 HOURS: Full time, exempt (salaried) 

MANAGER: Category Strategy Senior Director 

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

The base pay range for this position is $99,734 - $149,600. For this remote role, compensation is determined based on geographic location and experience, and the final offer will reflect these factors within the posted range.

WHAT WE OFFER:  

• An opportunity to work with an intelligent, inspiring, and extraordinarily fun team 
• We pay 100% of the premiums for employee-only medical, dental + orthodontics, and vision insurance
• 4 weeks PTO + paid holidays + 12 Mental Health Days per year
• 100% Paid parental leave, Fertility + Adoption Benefits 
• Annual Bonus 
• 401(k) plan with Employer Match
• Hybrid Work + Wellness + Cell Phone Stipends  
• Free product  
• And much more!