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Category Manager

Paulig Group

Nieuwegein
Full-time
2-5 years experience
Hybrid

Key Skills

Category management
Data analytics
Strategic planning
Stakeholder management
Shopper insights
Market analysis
Pricing strategy
Assortment optimization
Business development
Relationship building
Fact-based recommendations
Cross-functional collaboration
Growth strategy
Retail strategy

Job Description

At Paulig, we believe every meal, cup, and moment should be full of flavour — and that bold ideas can make the world a tastier, more sustainable place. As a house of iconic brands, we can make an impact that counts – and careers that matter.


Now we’re looking for a category manager to join our passionate team and help us shape the future of food and beverages. You will be based in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands and report to the Regional Category Manager Central Europe and be part of a great team of people based in our locations across Europe.


Your role in the blend

As Category Manager, you will play a key role in helping Paulig become the most trusted category growth partner for our customers by turning shopper, market and category insights into growth opportunities and actionable recommendations. You’ll have the opportunity to shape both the strategic direction and tactical execution of the category. By leveraging multiple data sources, including shopper, retail, market and category insights, you will translate complex data into actionable recommendations that drive category growth. A crucial aspect of the role is developing initiatives that strengthen overall category performance and create value for both retailers and shoppers. You will proactively engage with customers, shoppers and the market to identify future growth opportunities, develop category strategies and help shape the category agenda through trusted partnerships and fact-based recommendations.


In this role, you will:

·       Build trusted partnerships with customers and proactively identify opportunities to accelerate category growth through fact-based recommendations, shopper insights and category expertise.

·       Translate complex shopper, market and category insights into compelling growth stories that inspire action, strengthen customer decision making and unlock category growth opportunities.

·       Develop and utilize data analytics to optimize product assortments, pricing strategies, and shelf placement to meet consumer and shopper demands and driving category growth and profitability

·       Promote strong collaboration between category management, sales, and marketing teams to identify and develop comprehensive category growth initiatives that address consumer, shopper, and customer perspectives


Your key ingredients

You have 3+ years of experience in category management or in roles of a similar nature. To succeed in this role, you likely have:

·       Strong strategic and tactical business understanding

·       Strong analytical capabilities combined with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations that influence decisions and drive category growth.

·       Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted customer relationships and influence across functions and organizational levels.

·       Preferably holds a university degree in business administration or equivalent

·       Fluent in local language and English


The flavours we bring

Working at Paulig, a family owned company, means being part of an international community with bold ambitions and an inclusive growth culture.

We offer:

·       Continuous learning – access to LinkedIn Learning, and development programs.

·       Flexibility – the office is our main workplace, but we also offer the possibility to work from home part of the week.

·       A passionate, international team – diverse backgrounds that spark creativity and collaboration.


Interested?

Join us on our journey to build a flavourful and more sustainable future. We review applications continuously, so please apply as soon as possible and bring your unique flavour to Paulig. A Business case and assessments are part of the recruitment process for this position.

If you have any questions about the role or the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to Niki Veltman ([email protected]).


Want to learn more about working at Paulig and what we offer? Visit www.pauliggroup.com.


About Paulig

Paulig is an international food and beverage company, growing a new, sustainable food culture – one that is good for both people and the planet. Paulig provides Tex Mex, snacks, coffees, world foods and spices. The company's brands include Santa Maria, Paulig, Conimex, Poco Loco and Zanuy, among others. In 2025, the company’s sales amounted to approximately EUR 1.39 billion. Paulig was founded in 1876 and is 100% owned by the Paulig family. The company has 2,700 employees in 13 different countries united by the purpose 'For a life full of flavour'. www.pauliggroup.com

Core Responsibilities

The Category Manager will translate shopper, market, and category insights into actionable growth opportunities and strategic recommendations. They will build trusted partnerships with customers to optimize product assortments, pricing, and shelf placement while driving category performance.

Requirements

Candidates should have 3+ years of experience in category management or a similar role with strong analytical and stakeholder management capabilities. A university degree in business administration or an equivalent field is preferred.

Benefits

  • Continuous learning
  • LinkedIn Learning access
  • Development programs
  • Flexibility
  • Work from home options

About Paulig Group

Industry: Food and Beverage Services

Company size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Paulig is an international food and beverage company behind much-loved brands across Tex Mex, coffee, World Foods, snacks and spices, including Santa Maria, Paulig, Conimex, Poco Loco and Zanuy. Our ambition is to become one of the fastest-growing, profitable food and beverage companies, and a sustainability frontrunner in the industry. For us, flavour is more than taste. It is how we bring people together, how we grow, and how we care for our tomorrows. Through our own brands, we create products and concepts for both consumers and professional customers. Paulig also manufactures products for private label and industry partners, bringing our expertise to retail, out-of-home and industrial customers through high-quality private label and semi-finished solutions. Our journey began in 1876, when Gustav Paulig opened a small trading company in Helsinki. With curiosity and a taste for discovery, he introduced consumers to coffee, spices, and new flavours from around the world. Today, 150 years later, that same spirit continues to drive us. And still today, Paulig is 100% owned by the Paulig family. The company has 2700 passionate employees in 13 different countries working on our purpose "For a life full of flavour". We sell to over 80 markets across the world. At Paulig, we embrace curiosity and creativity, exploring the world of new flavours and more sustainable ways to bring them to life. From the first sip of morning coffee to shared dinners with loved ones, we want to be there in those moments. For a life full of flavour.

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