About the role
As the Category Manager of CS &E (Commercial Strategy and Execution), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Benelux business within your area of responsibility. Acting as the voice of both the shopper and the customer, you will ensure that their needs and perspectives are at the heart of every decision.
You will collaborate cross‑functionally to deliver best‑in‑class executions and drive the achievement of business objectives for the market.
Scope of the Role
1. Deliver Benelux Business Goals & CS&E Strategy
* Deliver annual, quarterly, and monthly business cycle requirements
* Translate aligned budget goals into country and channel targets
2. Develop Leading CS&E Principles
* In partnership with Marketing, own the commercial deployment plan to local Sales teams: prepare and deliver concept sells and trade story days for relevant brands/categories, set clear commercial guidelines for trade spend investment, and work with Account Managers to tailor category/brand plans to their customers
* Act as key partner to the Benelux Market Lead, bringing the voice of external reality and defining what is needed to win in the category for the country, using processes such as 5‑year strategy, IBP, and LRP
* Lead Go‑To‑Market, CVA input, and target ownership for VMS innovation needs, ensuring clarity on success factors for the country
* Support the Benelux Market Lead with commercial ownership of VMS business challenges and opportunities, recommending course correction plans
* Adapt centrally deployed VMS innovation tools to be fit‑for‑purpose for local Sales teams to sell and deliver initiative objectives
* Partner with Cluster & Central CS&E teams to influence commercial innovation needs for VMS
* Lead country deployment of VMS annual brand plans
* Performance Analytics: Leverage internal and external data (Nielsen, IQVIA, Sell‑In, Sell‑Out, Perfect Store KPIs) to monitor and achieve category targets
* Insight‑Based Decision Support: Translate analytics into clear commercial actions for Sales and Marketing teams
* Digital Enablement: Champion data‑driven tools and dashboards that improve visibility on category performance and field execution quality
3. Win in Executional Excellence
* Own Perfect Store & DVRP (Distribution, Visibility, Recommendation & Price) measurement for VMS and lead action plans to drive continuous year‑on‑year improvements
* Lead VMS innovation execution and collate KPI progress tracking for the country
* Deliver and report on commercial components of the local VMS Success Model (aligned with the total Category Success Model)
* Partner with Sales & Marketing to deliver winning execution of annual plans in market for VMS
* Lead execution of the Perfect Store strategy across the country, by channel and key customer (e.g., distribution targets, price & promotional guidance, visibility targets, CatMan/Merchandising projects)
* Actively lead and contribute to S&OP meetings, ensuring forecast accuracy in close collaboration with the demand team
4. Build Capability & Enable Success
* Optimize processes and tools for maximum efficiency and impact
* Collaborate effectively with Sales, Marketing, Supply, Finance, RGM, and central teams
* Proactively contribute to share & re‑apply sessions
* Act as key partner to the CS&I community, helping to build community capability
* Elevate customer development excellence: drive winning executions tailored for channels and customers
Experience Required
* Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a large FMCG or Consumer Health environment
* Strong background in Shopper & Trade Marketing and Sales
* Proven track record of delivering business results in commercial roles
* Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective strategies, processes, and controls , including trade funds management and supporting comprehensive business planning processes (e.g., JBP’s, Pharmacy FSF cycle plans)
* Successful experience in building external relationships , integrating omni‑channel strategies , and managing retailer partnerships
* Fluency in Dutch and English , both written and spoken