Category Manager: Bakeries

Overview PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated revenue. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). pep+ is our strategic end‑to‑end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. Responsibilities What we’re looking for: The Category Manager: Bakeries exists to lead the strategic development and execution of category growth initiatives within the bakery segment, specifically Bread, Buns, and Rolls. The role is accountable for crafting shopper‑centric propositions, driving in‑store excellence, and influencing retailer engagement strategies to deliver measurable commercial outcomes. It ensures alignment between PepsiCo’s category vision and retailer priorities, translating insights into actionable plans that enhance visibility, availability, and profitability across key accounts. Create the retailer value offer standards (CDF), input into Trading Terms and the measures in the commercial cockpit. Outline the retailer engagement model, including investment strategy, and the choices that we will make to win with our priority customers using WCCE framework. Solely accountable for the Available and Visible metrics in the market, in line with the global Growth Navigator process. Accountable for influencing Trading Terms process to enable more competitive agreements with retailers that drive execution in the market with Category Captaincy and Share of Shelf. Create Category Visions for South Africa and Global PepsiCo. Core Accountabilities: Design the product, place, price and promotion proposition to meet needs of shoppers and consumers, and engage along their path to purchase. Create a clear guide to all the components of what we must execute and measure to achieve execution excellence and picture of Success for PepsiCo. Connect our targets to commercial processes and daily operations in the Annual Operating Planning Process. Set up tracking, review progress and course‑correct when needed for Brands. Collaborate with external retailers to implement insight‑led interventions that unlock incremental growth and improve TAG performance with key accounts. Champion the implementation of WCCE Next Gen by translating global execution standards into tailored, channel‑specific plans with external retailers and Key accounts. Embed WCCE KPIs into joint business plans (JBPs) to ensure mutual accountability and sustain executional excellence with external retailers and key accounts. Deeply understand shopper and consumer behavior using internal/external data to design the Product, Place, Price, Promotion to meet shopper and consumer needs with Marketing, RGM, Finance, Supply Chain, Consumer Insights, Sales. Align plans with external retailers, Frontline sales, Key Accounts, Finance, RGM on Perfect store measures. Partner with Insights & RGM on category opportunities and challenges. Run post‑launch reviews and adjust course based on data with Marketing, RGM, Commercialization. Influence commercial planning cycles and AOP with General Manager, RGM, Marketing, Finance by connecting our targets to commercial processes and daily operations in the Annual Operating Planning Process. Strategy & Execution Translate shopper, sales, and turn strategy data into actionable execution plans by channel and customer. Creation and own Category Vision creation for the local market. Drive perfect store execution by aligning with key retail partners (e.g., Spar, Pick n Pay) on visibility, availability, and promotional excellence. Retailer Engagement & Commercial Strategy Use TAG diagnostics to identify growth levers across product, placement, pricing, and promotion with retailers for the categories. Own delivery of regular WCCE category scorecard reviews with retailers to track compliance, identify gaps, and co‑create action plans for improvement. Lead category reviews and performance deep‑dives to shape growth strategies and influence buyer decisions. Own the delivery of compelling, data‑backed growth stories that align with both shopper needs and retailer priorities. In‑Store Excellence Ensure innovation launches are planned, executed and supported in‑store. Deliver and lead Category Captaincy in Planogram and Assortment with Key Retailers. Define the retailer value proposition (CDF) and input into Trading Terms to secure competitive, execution‑driven agreements. Own the delivery for “Available and Visible” metrics aligned with the global Growth Navigator process. Shopper‑Centric Proposition Create retailer value offer standards (CDF) and define the retailer engagement model and investment strategy. Qualifications 3 year relevant tertiary qualification. Minimum 7–10 years FMCG experience. Strong commercial and analytical skills. Proficient in working with various data sources to generate insights and highlight sales opportunities. Strategic thinker with attention to detail and ability to overcome barriers. Experienced in both execution and strategy development. Operational experience in the marketplace (e.g., ASM) and ideally head office. Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate with peers and senior management. Strong project management skills with a drive for results. Proven ability to prioritise, manage complexity, and meet commercial targets. Experience in developing/executing in‑store strategy (assortment, execution standards, innovation programme). Proven experience in implementing new practices and approaches. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer in line with the Employment Equity Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr