Head of Category Strategy DACH (m/f/d)

Location: DEU-Baveria-Unterhaching, AUT-Vienna, CHE-Zug-Zug

Remote Type: Hybrid

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Ready to define the future of snacking? Shape the roadmap and lead the category strategy for our iconic Mars Snacking DACH portfolio.

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Translate the global category strategy into a locally relevant vision and growth agenda.

• Develop insight-led category strategies and solutions that drive shopper engagement and sustainable business growth.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of min. 4 associates, fostering collaboration, capability building and continuous improvement.

• Identify category, customer and channel opportunities through data, insights and market trends.

• Partner with commercial and cross-functional teams to embed category strategies into customer plans and activations.

• Drive excellence in retail execution through clear priorities, performance tracking and best-practice frameworks.

• Champion the use of data, analytics and AI-enabled solutions to improve category performance and decision-making.

• Influence senior stakeholders across local, regional and global teams to advance the category growth agenda.

What are we looking for?

• Extensive FMCG/CPG experience with a strong background in category strategy/management, commercial strategy or related functions.

• Proven experience in senior category strategy/leadership and people management roles.

• Demonstrated ability to build, develop and lead high-performing teams.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate insights into action.

• Experience driving business transformation, change initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across diverse functions and organisational levels.

• Strong commercial acumen and sound business judgement.

• Experience developing customer-centric category solutions and delivering sustainable business growth.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex and evolving environment.

• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse 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.

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