Category & Commercial Strategic Planning Lead

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning & Commercial Leadership

• Lead the annual Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process by conducting comprehensive 6P analyses to identify key category insights and opportunities.

• Develop the annual Category Development plan, translating brand objectives into a clear commercial strategy and execution roadmap.

• Spearhead the development of Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with key retail partners to drive mutual growth.

• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations for key business processes, including quarterly cascades to the Customer Development (Sales) team and strategic alignment meetings with leadership.

Demand Forecasting & Financial Management

• Drive the demand planning process by developing forward forecasts based on primary/secondary sales data and Nielsen market trends.

• Provide robust analysis and justification for promotional uplifts, ensuring accurate baseline forecasting in partnership with the Demand Planning team.

• Lead the development of Business Cases (BCs) for all trade activities, providing critical inputs on incremental sales (iGSV) and trade spend (iTTS) based on price elasticity and ROI analysis.

• Manage the category's Trade Term Spend (TTS) budget, ensuring expenditure is aligned with the strategy and delivering maximum return on investment.

Go-to-Market & New Product Launch Excellence

• Architect the 360-degree launch plan for all New Product Development (NPD), from initial volume forecasting to post-launch tracking.

• Develop comprehensive promotion strategies, channel-exclusive mechanics, and point-of-sale activation plans, ensuring alignment with above-the-line media.

• Manage the end-to-end process for promotional & brand activation support

• Proactively manage the NPD listing process with Customer Business Development team, developing contingency plans to overcome any retailer objections.

Market Intelligence & Performance Analysis

• Serve as the category expert on competitor activity, utilizing Nielsen data and market intelligence to track and analyze competitor promotions, pricing, and market share.

• Deliver monthly analysis on sales performance (GSV), providing clear commentary on drivers of over or under-performance against the forecast.

• Monitor the strategic price index and be agile to design response plans to maintain competitiveness and defend market share.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of customer strategic planning managers, fostering excellence in brand management and commercial planning.

• Recruit and nurture talent, building a future-fit organization through effective coaching, performance management, and career development.

• Cultivate a culture of high performance and engagement, inspiring the team to deliver exceptional business results.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:  

SKILLS:

Technical & Analytical Capabilities

• Data Analysis: Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to interpret market data, internal sales data (primary/secondary), and shopper insights to make informed recommendations.

• Financial Acumen: Solid commercial understanding with experience in budget management (specifically trade spend/TTS), business case development, pricing analysis, and understanding a product's P&L 

• Demand Forecasting: Proficiency in the fundamentals of sales forecasting and demand planning, including understanding base sales and promotional uplifts.

• Advanced Excel: Essential proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, v-lookups, charting, and building complex formulas for data analysis 

• Presentation Skills: Strong ability to use Microsoft PowerPoint to synthesize complex information into clear, persuasive, and professional presentations for various audiences.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to see the bigger picture, connect disparate data points, and translate insights into actionable, long-term category and channel strategies.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills. A proven ability to work with and influence diverse teams, including Brand, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain, to achieve common goals.

• Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulate complex ideas clearly, justify recommendations logically, and present confidently to both internal leadership and external retail partners.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously—from new product launches to promotional campaigns—while adhering to strict timelines.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and results-oriented mindset with the ability to identify potential issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions independently.

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field

• A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) industry is essential.

• Proven experience in Trade Marketing / Category Management / Customer/Channel Development / Sales or Key Account Management / Brand Management with strong commercial exposure

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

• A unique mix of global scale & start-up spirit—€8.3bn powerhouse with an agile, entrepreneurial mindset. We’re building a new high growth Ice Cream company from the ground up. ​

• Career without limits—42 markets, international opportunities, and fast tracked growth. ​

• A performance-driven culture—Freedom to act, disrupt and grow – your success is measured by impact.​

• A company that celebrates joy, innovation, and purpose—We create extraordinary careers, just like our ice cream creates extraordinary moments.