Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. is a subsidiary of The J.M. Smucker Co. For more than 125 years, The J.M. Smucker Co. has been trusted to deliver quality food consumers trust for themselves and their families. Guided by a vision to engage, delight, and inspire consumers by building brands they love and leading in growing categories, Smucker has grown to be a well-respected North American marketer and manufacturer with a balanced portfolio of leading and emerging, on-trend brands. This includes offering beloved brands such as Jif®, Folgers® and Milk-Bone® as well as leading brands exclusive to Canada including Robin Hood®, Five Roses®, and Carnation®.

At Smucker, we provide a nurturing, collaborative and inclusive environment giving each employee the opportunity to contribute and thrive in their own unique way. We want you to become part of the Smucker Family; to become part of our journey of growth and thriving together. Join Smucker and experience a place where everyone can be their whole self, is respected, included and treated equitably, has a voice and can make an impact.

Our Company remains rooted in the values established at our founding and as defined by our Basic Beliefs and Our Commitment to Each Other. For more information about our Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

Position Title:

Director, Customer & Category Strategy

Reports To:

Vice President, Sales International

Location:

Markham, Ontario - Hybrid (minimum 40% in office each week)

POSITION SUMMARY

As the leader of the Category Strategy, Category Leadership & Revenue Growth Management teams, you will play a vital role in development and integration of the strategic direction of the business that aligns with the long-term objectives of the brands, categories and Canadian Business. You will be responsible for developing go-to-market strategies by category & channel to maximize return and ensure long-term success of the business. A key responsibility of this role is to monitor ongoing business performance and guide full-year projections, while offering strategic recommendations for course corrections to ensure achievement of both short- and long-term objectives. Driving synergies, effectiveness and efficiency into our processes and practices will optimize our resources and drive overall profitability. A core team member that supports the Integrated Business and Joint Business Planning processes. Provides the Sales team with direction, support and tools to enable customer planning and execution. Working alongside the Revenue Growth Management and Category Leadership leads, you will set the framework for our customer thought-leadership ambition and our RGM targets.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS SUMMARY

Lead and manage the Canadian Category Strategy, Category Leadership & RGM teams
Work closely with cross functional teams (Marketing, Finance, Sales) to effectively plan and execute the Sales & Marketing business strategies
Coordinate/ lead agreement to and delivery of full year volume plans. Monitor business and full year projections making appropriate course correction recommendations
Provide leadership and recommendations to maximize business results by developing merchandising strategies, pricing strategies and supporting trade accrual deployment. Develop appropriate go-to-market strategies by category/channel to maximize return and ensure long term success
Work along side the marketing teams to develop go to market strategies for innovation in the Canadian marketplace
Ownership over customer & channel strategy for the company to drive appropriate prioritization of channels and resources to deliver against our long range plans
Lead the Category Leadership team to be recognized by customers as thought-leaders within our key categories.
Optimize category sales and profitability through the development of insight led selling stories for key customers.
Support the IBP and JBP process, working closely with the Marketing, Finance & Supply Chain teams to provide Sales with appropriate direction, support and tools for customer planning and execution
Work closely with the Finance team to develop and ensure that we are meeting key financial metrics such as volume, mix & profitability. Provide the Sales team with appropriate tools to achieve these objectives.
Drive synergies, effectiveness and efficiency to our processes and practices to optimize our resources and drive overall profitability
Work cross functionally to align on the monthly, quarterly and full year sales forecast as part of the volume consensus process
Facilitation of key Marketing programs, initiatives and merchandising vehicles to the Sales team
Management of listing budgets, incremental opportunities and risks with Finance and Sales
Ownership and management of the data sources and budgets including Customer POS budget and RGM tools and data
Oversee key departmental projects that drive sales initiatives through the organization and with our customers.
A key member of the Sales Leadership Team and International Business Review (IBR) team

QUALIFICATIONS

University Degree: Business Degree, Diploma and/or relevant experience required
12+ years of experience in the Sales/Trade Marketing/Category Leadership areas
Excellent analytical, opportunity assessment and negotiating skills
Strong ability to influence internally across functions
Proven ability to lead diverse teams with different skills and expertise
Excellent communication skills and leadership skills
Experience leading cross functional teams at all levels of the organization
Understanding of a P&L and the levers to deliver sales & profit improvement
Fully competent with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Thorough knowledge of Nielsen data and its application in strategy and execution
Flexible hours/schedule to allow for travel and requirements of the business - approximately 25% travel required, mainly within Canada and occasional travel to the US.
Travel is a necessity - Valid class G driver’s licence required

Additional Information:

This job posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization
Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. does not utilize any artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in any phase of the recruitment process.

We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that can add value to our team. We encourage you to apply even if you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above.

Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or other legally protected status. Should you require any assistance or accommodation within any step of the recruitment and selection process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to help meet your needs. Accommodation may include but is not limited to an alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology.

#LI-MV1

#LI-Hybrid