Head of Category Development

Company: Lotus Bakeries, Milan
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: June 2, 2025

Job Description:

The Head of Category Development leads the strategic and operational execution of category management initiatives, driving the growth and profitability of Lotus Bakeries' brands by aligning category strategies with corporate objectives and market opportunities. Central to this role is the close collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and external retail partners to develop and implement category growth strategies. These strategies enhance shopper engagement, optimize in-store performance, and strengthen retailer relationships. This is achieved through the creation of compelling category management stories, utilizing data sources such as Nielsen, and internal account-level insights to deliver actionable opportunities for growth. To support these initiatives, the Head of Category Development leads and mentors the Category Development team, fostering a collaborative environment that bridges departments and ensures alignment with broader business objectives. By turning insights into strategic actions, this role informs critical decisions and reinforces Lotus Bakeries' leadership in the marketplace.Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the category management strategy, aligned with Lotus Bakeries' corporate goals and brand strategies.
• Develop strategic recommendations for product assortment, promotional plans, and in-store visibility to optimize shopper engagement and sales performance.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to ensure alignment of category strategies with brand strategies.
• Analyze multiple data sources, including syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen), retailer POS data, and internal sales metrics, to identify trends, consumer behaviors, and actionable opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights and regular performance updates, including market share, distribution, pricing, and promotional effectiveness, to inform strategic decision-making for internal stakeholders.
• Monitor and assess competitor strategies, market positioning, and emerging trends to make predictive recommendations and stay ahead of the market.
• Turn complex data sets into clear, impactful insights and stories to inform decision-making for internal stakeholders and retail partners.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Category Development team to ensure high performance, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support team members in achieving their goals.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of category strategies.
• Develop tools and processes to monitor performance and provide actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders.
• Utilize data and analytics to refine methodologies, ensure operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across category management initiatives.ProfileProfessional Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years in Category management, Trade marketing, or a similar role in the CPG industry.
• Proven experience with syndicated data tools such as Nielsen, IRI, and retailer-specific POS systems.
• Experience in team leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong track record of driving category growth through data-driven insights and strategies.Skills & Knowledge:
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
  • Expertise in shopper behavior analysis and in-store marketing strategies.Join UsDo you want to be part of a terrific team with the ambition to create small moments of happiness every day? Meet our people, discover their unique skills and get excited to join them in a great work environment.
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Keywords: Lotus Bakeries, Milan, Alameda , Head of Category Development, Other , San Francisco, California