Category Manager - Confectionery & Seasonal

About Woolworths Group

Woolworths Group unites over 200,000 passionate individuals focused on a shared mission to enhance everyday experiences for a better future. Serving more than 24 million customers weekly, the company fosters innovation and bold commitments within an inclusive, supportive work environment that values diversity, flexibility, and career growth opportunities.

Role Overview

This full-time permanent position based in Auckland, New Zealand, is part of the Impulse team, managing the Confectionery & Seasonal category. The Category Manager is responsible for continuously improving the product range, overseeing product selection, pricing, promotions, and placement. Leading a team, this role aims to meet sales growth, profitability, and market share targets through collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop category strategy by leveraging customer insights and market knowledge to align with broader business objectives.
• Manage assortment, optimize pricing, and plan promotional activities based on customer and market data to support category goals.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships to enhance the supplier portfolio, driving increased sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure all ranged products comply with Australian consumer law requirements.
• Achieve financial key performance indicators related to sales, profit, inventory, and market share.
• Meet non-financial KPIs concerning team development, supplier feedback, and customer satisfaction.
• Create and execute customer-focused category plans and conduct regular reviews.
• Source innovative products that offer competitive advantage and align with customer needs.
• Conduct negotiations with suppliers regarding product ranges, cost of goods sold, and promotional funding.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Online, Replenishment, Customer Insights, and Rewards to execute category strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven track record as a Category Manager or similar in large retail or FMCG organizations.
• Successful experience in developing and implementing customer-centric category strategies supported by strong commercial insight and data analysis.
• Exceptional negotiation and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Capability to acquire expert knowledge in the relevant industry sector within Australia.
• Strong enthusiasm for product development, innovation, and ongoing improvement.

Workplace and Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangement blending time at a support office/hub and working from home for a flexible work-life balance.
• Opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven company serving communities with shared values.
• Access to a global business network with abundant career advancement prospects across various disciplines.
• Comprehensive wellbeing initiatives including 24/7 access to the Sonder app.
• Progressive leave policies tailored to support personal priorities.
• Exclusive discounts across Woolworths Group brands and a rewards program recognizing meaningful contributions.

Diversity and Inclusion

Woolworths Group is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity, equity, and belonging empower all employees. The company actively promotes diverse perspectives to enhance innovation and problem-solving and encourages all applicants to disclose any required accommodations during the hiring process.