Category Director Confectionery

<p>About Orkla Confectionery &amp; Snacks (OCS)</p> <p>Orkla Confectionery &amp; Snacks is a dominant snack company located in the Nordics and Baltics, operating across seven markets with a proud annual turnover of around 7.5 billion NOK. Our company comprises over 3,000 dedicated people, bound by a passion for nurturing our portfolio of cherished brands like KiMs, Nidar, Stratos, Sætre, Göteborgs Kex, OLW, Panda, Laima, Selga, Taffel, Kalev, Nói Síríus, and many more. At our core, we are more than just snacks; in OCS we are creating moments of happiness, powered by a network of 13 specialized factories with a commitment to excellence and sustainability.</p> <p>OCS is an Orkla ASA portfolio company.</p> <p> </p> <p>Position Overview:</p> <p>As our Category Director for Confectionery, you will be responsible for owning, developing, and driving the long-term category strategy, planning, and knowledge sharing initiatives. Your primary focus will be on increasing volume, margins, and market shares, whilst maximizing category value through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts across the organization.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li>Develop and own the long-term strategy for the Confectionery category, ensuring alignment with overall business unit (BU) strategies.</li> <li>Lead the category growth plan, innovation strategy, and product development pipeline.</li> <li>Manage the active portfolio of Confectionery products, including initiation and approval of innovation projects.</li> <li>Lead cross-functional category teams to develop and realize commercial plans to drive category success.</li> <li>Identify market patterns, trends, risks, and opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.</li> <li>Facilitate cross-BU learning and capability building, serving as a central knowledge sharing hub.</li> <li>Champion a category commercial philosophy and drive alignment with relevant stakeholders.</li> <li>Oversee the effect of marketing programs and initiatives on category performance.</li> <li>Contribute to building a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement within the organization.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Candidate profile:</p> <p>We're looking for someone who can build trust and navigate complex stakeholder environments, bringing diverse interests into alignment. Your analytical mindset and financial acumen will improve and shape data-driven insights, and as an excellent communicator, you'll be able to articulate insights and plans seamlessly across functions and management teams. The ideal candidate should possess:</p> <ul> <li>A university degree, ideally in marketing or business administration; an MBA is considered advantageous.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience of 10+ years in marketing and sales, with a focus on strategic marketing and customer management.</li> <li>Strong proficiency in English, facilitating effective communication in diverse settings.</li> <li>Proven expertise in category management and development, particularly in multicultural or national environments.</li> <li>Track record in change management, coupled with exceptional communication skills to influence and persuade diverse audiences.</li> </ul> <p>Why Join OCS?</p> <p>Orkla Confectionery &amp; Snacks is not just a workplace; it's a community where you can grow, innovate, and contribute to a legacy of success and sustainability. We offer a competitive package, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to make a significant impact in the snacking industry.</p> <p> </p> <p>Place of work:<br/> Primary office location in one of our office locations in the Nordics &amp; Baltics (Oslo, Solna, Vallensbæk Strand, Søndersø, Turku. Vantaa, Riga, Tallinn, Reykjavík). Occasional travel is to be expected in this role.</p> <p> </p> <p>How to Apply</p> <p>If you're ready to take on this challenging and rewarding role, we would love to hear from you. Apply directly through our website and join us in our journey to bring happiness to our consumers and shape the future of snacking in the Nordic and Baltic regions.</p> <p> </p> <p>Orkla Confectionery &amp; Snacks is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.</p> <p> </p> <p>Application Deadline: 4th June 2024</p>