CATEGORY LEAD 

Member of the Business Development Team // Based in the Netherlands or Belgium 

For our Consumer Products Division, we are looking for a talented and experienced category lead to join the Business Development team as category lead skin. You will be responsible for our skincare, men care, body and sun categories. You will report into the Business Development Director who will manage, coach and support you. 

The category lead is responsible for the full skin 1-2 year strategy, prioritization and category projects. You will need to lead to category projects (internal and external), build strong retailer relationships and manage the category manager. Together you are responsible for female and men skincare, suncare, bodycare. 

For the role, you need to be solid, have strong communication skills to gain trust internally and externally and you are focused on results. We are looking for someone who is not afraid of a challenge and can make an impact. 

Purpose of the role 

As a category lead you lead the category growth plan in BNL, together with the multifunctional teams. You will find category opportunities and build category projects, based on strong shopper and consumer insights, and category performance. You build long term relationships with retailers and can influence internal and external decisions. Further you will manage the category manager, who you will manage, coach and develop.  

In summary you will: 

Analyze Category Performance, do category, customer and competition deep-dives 

Translate shopper/ consumer & relevant retailer data into actionable insights for marketing and retailer teams 

you lead the category growth plan in BNL, together with a multifunctional team. Creating our 1-2year growth plan 

Define Key Category Elevation Projects (POS projects & assortment) and build the category growth story 

Lead category assortment strategy (channel differentiation, format strategy) 

Contribute to Brand Distribution and Category Launch plan strategy with category and channel insights 

What you are going to do  

Create a category growth strategy for the BNL market, together with the marketing and sales team. Based on category development and performance 

Translate consumer and shopper insights into actionable plans, which you will discuss on a regular bases with internal and external stakeholders 

You will give regular market updates, track competition and spot white space / new brands. You will fuel your stakeholders with relevant information and drive opportunities in the market. 

Create a strong shelf vision for all key retailers based on shopper and retailer data. Working together with our international team on our global shelf strategy 

Contribute to the right analyses within RGM: promo development, format strategy and share development of competition. 

Keep your knowledge up-to-date by joining CMI sessions, regular visits to the stores and retailer meetings, attending workshops or lectures 

You will work together with: 

This role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. To carry out this role successfully, you will work with: 

Category lead and managers, to share knowledge and insights 

Revenue Growth Manager skin, who will work on promo, pricing and format strategy for the category 

Retailers, with whom you will work on category opportunities and shelf projects 

(e-)Account manager. With whom you develop the optimal plan on retailer opportunities 

Marketing team, together with Brand Business Leads you will look to new brands and white spots and with Retail Brand Managers you will develop the ideal shelf vision 

CMI / CDMO team, to discuss shopper insights and Nielsen data  

Zone to share knowledge and create strong shopper stories, based on international learnings 

What qualities and education do you need for this position: 

Completed relevant WO Master's degree. 

>5 years experience 

Good command of English in word and writing. Fluent in Dutch or French is a must. 

You have a passion for category insights, data and are a strong stakeholder manager. 

What do we offer? 

When you start at L'Oréal, you get a great deal of responsibility from day one. To develop, we offer an introduction program and an individual training program. Training can be local or at the global headquarters in Paris. An enriching experience where you will meet international peers. 

And furthermore you will find with us: 

An inspiring work environment with ambitious colleagues; 

A healthy career perspective with good development and career opportunities; 

A competitive salary which is adjusted on an annual basis in case of good performance; 

Good secondary employment conditions, such as a 13th month, profit sharing, discount on medical expenses and a favorable pension scheme; 

Discount on L'Oréal products 

Nice extras such as various sporting company activities. 

Finally, a great added value of working at L'Oréal is that you will be working with so many different people and functions. This offers you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge about different stakeholders.  

Diversity 

L’Oréal would like their personnel to represent the diversity of the Benelux society. We welcome everyone regardless of origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, philosophical or political conviction, disability, etc. 

“A diversified workforce in every function and on all levels strengthens our creativity and our understanding of consumers and it enables us to develop and market products that are relevant“ 

(Jean-Paul Agon, former CEO of L’Oréal) 

How to apply 

Are you ready for this challenge and do you meet the conditions? 

Then apply quickly!