Category and Operations Team Lead

Job Description:Title: Category and Operations Team LeadLocations: Franklin, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Pheonix, AZ; Bentonville, ARAll applicants must have permanent legal authorization to work in the United States. Mars does not sponsor employment visas for this role.This position is not eligible for relocation benefitsThis role is responsible for leading our Mars Category & Operations team in creation and execution of an insight-based shopper-focused strategy with regional retailers to deliver against mutual KPIs (Share, Category growth, Perfect Store scorecards, etc). In addition, the team is responsible for the day-to-day operations including the creation, maintenance and consolidation of sales tools such as forecasting, pricing, promotion effectiveness, trade tracker etc. The role leads a team of 6 direct reports (2 category managers and 4 sales analysts) serving as the trusted advisor for regional retailers including regional grocery, regional farm and home and regional independent, while working closely with the sales team leads to serve as a center of excellence for operational control.What are we looking for:• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a field of study related to the role.• 10+ years of Category and/or Sales experience in fast-moving Consumer Goods industries• Advanced knowledge of category management principles and strategies• Advanced knowledge of sales fundamentals processes such as forecasting and trade management• Demonstrated ability to build indispensable, collaborative partnerships with retail customers, account team, and internal business partners.• Exposure to Panel and Scan Syndicated Data (IRI or Nielsen) and demonstrated ability to distill complex data from a variety of sources into simple stories with actionable solutions.• Preferred qualification: People management experienceWhat will be your responsibilities:• Lead a team of 6 direct reports, developing robust development and objective plans, drive engagement, and ensure team is clear on priorities and objectives across the business.• Lead team to create, consolidate and automate various sales tools and processes that enable the sales team to operate more efficiently and effectively with a very fragmented business including direct and indirect customers and 3 channels.• Develop channel strategy and implementation plan in collaboration with Sales Team Leads and Director• Set strategic vision and manage the category team to deliver established goals and priorities.• Manage the relationship with the customer merchant teams, and engaging MPC internal stakeholders as subject matter expert, driving thought leadership and strategy.• Lead the team in development and communication of category initiatives and related action plans that deliver account and customer objectives.• Leverage data from multiple sources (internal insights team, Nielsen scan data, shopper card data, shopper panel) to create impactful analytics and selling stories to identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps (i.e. distribution, assortment mix, incrementally, size, shelving, placement) and track category performance with the regional retailers while informing and making recommendations to influence internal/external stakeholders.What can you expect from Mars?• Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.