Category Activation Specialist

**Position Title**:Category Activation Specialist

**Position Type**: Regular - Full-Time

**Position Location**: Rosebank

**Grade**: Grade 03

**Requisition ID**: 22384

**PURPOSE OF THE JOB**:
Key support for the Category and Shopper Marketing team. Responsible for the planning and execution of the Trade Marketing activities aligned to the Brand plans. The incumbent will manage the execution of the activities linked to the channel strategy for Retail and Food Service, based on shopper and trade understanding. They work closely with Brand Marketing, Digital Marketing, New Product Development (NPD), Customer Management, Sales Operations and Agencies to develop and execute activations and tactics against the category, brand, channel and account plans. Plays an integral role in enhancing demand through McCain’s customers in a specific channel and in a cost-effective way. Under the guidance of the Category Shopper Manager the incumbent manages a budget of R21.7 million.

**KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS**:

- **
Trade Marketing Execution;**
- Implement the trade marketing plans by working with internal and external stakeholders to deliver them in a timely manner and within budget.
- Work closely with the agency & distribution partners to ensure alignment and excellence in execution.
- Provide selling tools for Customer Managers, Sales Operations and Merchandising team to enable them to drive sales.
- Manage spend on executions to be within budget.
- **
Leverage marketing mix to drive consumption/sales;**
- Promotion: assist in developing promotional items linked to clear promotion objectives.
- Availability / layout: assist Category specialist in formulating and implementing category layouts based on shopper decision trees and category dynamics.
- Communication: develop Point-of-Sale (POS) to ensure shopper communication is effective and focused on a ‘call to action’. Placement in store or outlet is also key.
- **
Manage Budget;**
- Ensure that category and shopper spend is within budget.
- Must manage the monthly tracking and reporting with finance department.
- **
Compile and submit monthly reports and assist customer managers with the compilation of customer reviews;**
- Conducting pre and post analyses of category promotions.
- Developing a library of performance history and adjusting business plans based on results to drive improved return on investment in all types of trade spending.
- Compile scorecards to measure executional performance in-store against preset targets e.g. price label availability, distribution of KVIs, merchandising flows and forward share targets etc.
- Compile scorecards to measure performance linked to specific initiatives (e.g. environment compliance targets and ROI).
- Compile customer reviews as required.
- **
Manage NPD Projects & Product Launches;**
- Become part of the NPD process representing the Category team
- Provide launch material, i.e. listing sheets, trade presenters and samples for all NPD projects.
- Develop, execute, and track compliance of the support plans for all NPD projects.

**EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**:

- Matric or equivalent.
- Diploma in Marketing or Business Management (Degree in the related field will be an added advantage).
- Experience in executing trade marketing plans.
- Strong understanding of the FMCG and Food Service landscape.
- Understanding of category management.
- Understanding of sales and customer management.
- Ability to work cross-functionally.
- Ability to make things happen/execution.
- Good working knowledge of the SA retailer, restaurant chains, independent operators and the ability to influencing them.
- Agency management experience.

**PERSON SPECIFICATIONS**:

- Project management skills.
- Financial acumen.
- Microsoft Office (Power Point, Excel and Word).
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally.
- Understanding of budget process.
- Interpreting insights.

LI-SAF1
- McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger._
- McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs._
- Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the _Global Employee Privacy Policy_

**Job Family**:Sales; Marketing
**Division**:South Africa
**Department**:Category Management
**Location(s)**: ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Johannesburg || ZA - South Africa : Eastern Cape : Port Elizabeth || ZA - South Africa