External Job Title Category Development Manager, Safeway

AutoReqId	39642BR
Function	Sales - Commercial
Type of Job	Full Time - Exempt
Country	United States
External Job Description	Context/Scope: This position will be based out of Pleasanton, CA. Travel is on average 20% or less. · Directly supports Safeway customer team by fulfilling required tactical and strategic category management and sales support functions with a heavy emphasis on daily analysis, schematic design and business development projects. · Primarily responsible for executing category management at the account: category assessment, planogram development, assortment optimization, promotional planning and evaluation, account business plans, shopper insights. · Influence account to drive Spirits business in the ways that benefit both Safeway and Diageo’s performance via improvements in distribution, shelving, assortment, promotion, pricing and sales.    Complexity of Role · Have a solid understanding of business, financials, products/services, the market, and the needs of Safeway; may help develop colleagues' understanding; may be recognized as an expert in one area. · Complexity is high (territory/account, products/services, sales or account management process) · The role requires a significant level of collaboration and the ability to influence decisions within the Sales Team(s), the customer (s), and occasionally at the Diageo corporate level.  · Deep understanding of category management practices and ways of working · Coordinate with cross-functional teams - sales, trade marketing, finance · Demonstrated leadership role in aligning customer and Diageo strategies and ensuring appropriate tactical enablers are planned and executed. Develop and foster relationships at the Safeway corporate and divisional levels. Decision Making Decisions are guided by policies, procedures and business plan; receives guidance from senior manager. Key Outputs: · Influence the development of category plans while aligning Safeway and Diageo strategies. Ensure appropriate tactical enablers are planned for and are executed. · Lead efficient product assortment optimization process, segmentation and shelf merchandising efforts by developing, implementing and upholding shelf management strategy that is consistent with Safeway and Diageo shelving standards. · Delivery of standard category management practices: shelf management, promotion planning/analysis, pricing strategy/analysis and business development projects. · Creation and maintenance of category scorecards with proactive action step recommendations on ongoing basis. · Develop and maintain a pipeline of fact based actionable consumer and shopper insights relevant to customer needs to steer category strategies that influence key sales drivers. · Assume expert role and ownership of assigned tools, processes and tasks. · Build and transfer Category Management capabilities across the Team. · Provide fact and insight based support to sales team with innovation and program sell-in, post promotional reviews and proactively communicate issues/opportunities  Qualifications and Experience Required: · College degree or equivalent work experience required · Minimum 3 to 5 years relevant experience required, preferably Category Management experience in Consumer Packaged Goods or Beverage Category · Highly prefer strong technical experience with advanced software skills relevant to Category Management function -  this includes syndicated data systems (Nielsen, IRI, Spectra), shelf management software (Apollo), Microsoft office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), and ideally also includes exposure to Safeway’s Nielsen Optura systems (AOD, RDDS, ShopperVue) · Strong analytical and presentation/communication skills · Proven track record of success in functional/technical skills, decision quality, problem solving and business acumen · Sales experience with major CPG or beverage category preferred · Previous category captaincy or equivalent experience preferred · Beverage Alcohol experience highly preferred
EEOC Statement (Only for US Users. For other markets, please leave blank)	Diageo is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer and is subject to federal regulations pertaining to employment. Diageo does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. Diageo also provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state or local laws. for details on how to apply please visit http://www.diageo-careers.com/en-row/searchandapply/Pages/SearchOpenings.aspx