Shopper and Category Manager

Background of the Company

Lindt & Sprüngli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group of companies. With more than 150 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 15 Lindt retail stores.

As global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprüngli looks back on a long-standing tradition of almost 175 years which takes its origins in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprüngli are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA. The products are distributed by 28 subsidiary companies and branch offices, in around 500 Lindt shops and cafés, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe.

Position Purpose

The Category & Shopper Marketing Team aims to be a trusted expert group central to driving both short-term and long-term category growth in confectionery by providing strategic solutions rooted in a deep understanding of consumer and shopper needs. The team assists Revenue Growth Management (RGM) initiatives, including strategic pricing and promotional analysis, to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share. By leveraging data-driven insights and advanced analytical tools like MS Excel, Power BI, and Circana/Nielsen, the team optimizes category strategies and collaborates cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to ensure alignment with business goals. With a results-oriented approach, the team drives innovation, influences key stakeholders, and ensures sustainable growth through effective pricing, promotion, and category management strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Shopper & Category Insights Leadership Lead initiatives from development to completion, aligning with Lindts category vision and driving shopper conversion.
• • Lead Category Vision & Drivers to influence retail partners.
  • Develop category & shopper insights for GPD planning and segment challenges.
  • Lead workshops to align Marketing, Customer Marketing, and Sales teams on seasonal plans.

• Cross-Functional Projects Elevate Lindts retail influence by leveraging research and insights.
• • Manage research and insights for category development.
  • Lead the evolution of Lindts Category Vision, Drivers & Tactics.
  • Collaborate on in-store activation initiatives with customer marketing.
• Annual Planning Contribution Provide shopper insights for new product strategies and long-term planning.
• • Support Marketing with strategies for new products and brand initiatives.
  • Ensure strategies are integrated into long-term category and brand plans.
  • Develop category & shopper insights for SPD planning and segment challenges.
• Pricing Strategy Execute pricing strategies to optimize revenue, profitability, and market share.
• • Conduct regular reviews of price elasticity, competitive pricing, and customer segmentation.
  • Collaborate on OBPPC and continuously refine pricing strategies through innovation.
• Promotion Effectiveness Optimize promotional strategies and ensure alignment with cross-functional teams.
• • Develop optimal promotion strategies for key customers/channels.
  • Align with sales, marketing, and finance on promotion KPIs.
  • Conduct post-promotion analysis and refine plans using a test-and-learn approach.
• Gross to Net Spend Analysis Guide RGM analysts in tracking trade promotion policies and evaluating event ROI.
• • Provide guidance on trade spend evaluations and help project sales trade spend liability at key milestones.
• Merchandising Strategy Optimize shelving initiatives through planograms, guidelines, and training.
• • Oversee space management, product image libraries, and Circana data updates.
• Collaboration Work closely with field sales, marketing, and finance to ensure cohesive strategy execution.
• Team Leadership Foster cross-functional collaboration and data system training to drive category growth.
• • Build effective relationships with Sales and Marketing teams.
  • Lead team alignment to business objectives and streamline processes.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in Category Management and shopper/consumer/market insights.

• Strong financial acumen and data interpretation skills.
• Revenue Growth Management (RGM) experience within the CPG industry (advantageous).
• Deep understanding of competitor dynamics, brand strategies, and category growth drivers.

• Demonstrated leadership with a results-driven approach.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, internally and externally.
• Ability to inspire change and create a new vision within the sales organization.

• Lead complex quantitative analyses to drive decision-making.
• Ability to develop customized category plans and evaluate them in-store.
• Strong time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities.

• Proven ability to work across departments and collaborate effectively.
• Self-starter with high initiative, able to drive projects independently under pressure.

Qualifications/experience

• BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification
• Previous experience in a customer-facing Category Management role, FMCG environment (minimum 5 years)
• Prerequisites include advanced skills & working knowledge of external market data software and space planning software (DotActiv)
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, Circana, and Nielsen