Director - Category Leadership

Bel, makers of iconic brands including GOGO squeeZ, Babybel, The Laughing Cow, and Boursin is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel’s commitment to sustainability and healthier and responsible food for all. The company has headquarters in Chicago (Bel Brands USA) and New York City (GoGo Squeez) and operates 4 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID.

Job Description Summary

Gogo Squeeze is looking for a dynamic category thought leader who can help us redefine better-for-you snacking. This individual will be a cross-functional team leader focused on evolving GGS category strategy for the future with our customers. Leading a group of category managers, this visionary will shape the future of snacking both internally and externally through data-driven insights and exceptional team leadership skills.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Accountable for the leadership, direction and development of four Category Development Manager direct reports.
Responsible for all Category Leadership activities supporting Gogo Squeeze business with over $600MM in sales
Responsible for the direction, coordination and strategic plan development of the Category Leadership initiatives with our GGS sales teams and our Broker Partners across the US Market.
Creates and delivers long term vision for GGS category strategic plans while driving accountability towards execution within customers
Lead data management and negotiation for budget for customer specific activities
Key contact on strategic global Category Leadership projects with Bel Group leading key initiatives such as Category Vision, Channel segmentation, & Market data intelligence
Responsible for syndicated data, external vendor management and budget planning for all customer related headquarter and retail data needs. External relationships include negotiations and management with companies such as Nielsen, Kantar, IRI….
Expert on utilizing and leveraging syndicated databases, to include customer-specific data warehouse information and loyalty card analysis (e.g., IRI, Nielsen, 84.51, Market 6, Fresh Facts, Panel, Customer Specific, Luminate etc) to create direction for the category within assigned accounts
Develop and lead category strategy and recommendations/implementation plan for customers while aligning to the strategies and tactics of accountability
Drive Category Validator relationships with strategic customers including customer facing meetings and partnership
Interact and collaborate with sales (Field, Retail and Sales Dev Teams), marketing…

Skills and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree: MBA preferred
Proven 10+ Years of experience in category management, preferably in the food and beverage industry.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Excellent data analysis and strategic planning abilities. Skilled in analytical story telling.
Proficiency in utilizing syndicated databases and data management tools.
Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Working Conditions

Work is performed largely in an office environment. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with at least 40 hours a week. At times there will be some variation in work hours due to special projects, deadlines and other concerns. Up to 15% business travel may be required.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Acknowledgement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested management. All requirements are subject to change over time and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Total Rewards

Base Salary: $180,000 – 200,000
Bonus opportunity: 25%
20 days PTO
4% match on 401k
Health care by Cigna
Free Vision & Dental
Hybrid work schedule in New York City

Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Bel Brands is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation or assistance in using the website, please call 312-462-1500.

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