Key Skills

Job Description

Job description: About Us Suntory Group is a global leader in consumer-packaged goods, renowned for producing and distributing a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages, premium spirits, beer, wine, and wellness products throughout the world. Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory has grown into a company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. We are driven by a profound purpose: To inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. At Suntory Beverage and Food, we boldly move forward together to realize the dreams of becoming a world-leading next-generation global beverage company – you are an important part of this and here’s how your role helps us win. Here, you have the opportunity to work with talented and inspiring leaders, the freedom to dream big and think differently. We commit to creating a work environment where you can bring your true self and Unleash your Spirit. The purpose of this position is to accelerate category and customer growth by translating shopper, market and customer insights into strong commercial recommendations. The Customer Category Manager leads the category agenda for Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi, Kruidvat and Action across Belgium and the Netherlands, aligned with the scope of the respective Key Account Managers. Based in the Netherlands, the role has a primary focus on the Dutch market and strengthens Suntory’s position as a trusted category partner through relevant, customer-specific recommendations. About the role Are you commercially driven, curious about shopper behaviour and energised by building strong customer relationships? As our Customer Category Manager, you will help shape category growth for some of the biggest retailers in the Netherlands and Belgium, including Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi, Kruidvat and Action. Based in the Netherlands, you will work closely with our Key Account Managers and act as their category partner. You will turn market, shopper and customer insights into persuasive recommendations that strengthen our retailer relationships and unlock new growth opportunities across assortment, shelf, space, pricing and in-store activation. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys combining analysis with customer interaction. You do not simply report on the data. You turn it into a compelling commercial story and use it to influence decisions. What you'll do Lead the customer category agenda for priority retailers across the Netherlands and Belgium, Translate complex data into clear, practical and persuasive customer recommendations. Build trusted relationships with retail buyers and category teams. Recommend the right assortment, range, pack-price architecture, shelf placement and space allocation for each customer. Support range reviews, Joint Business Planning and customer sell-in stories. Develop integrated in-store recommendations that connect assortment, visibility and activation. Ensure Perfect Store execution through plannogram, second placement, promo.... collaborating closely with Field Sales Manager & teams Partner closely with Key Account Managers to prepare and present opportunities to customers. Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Category Development, Insights, Revenue Growth Management, Supply Chain, Finance and Field Sales. Track the commercial impact of category initiatives and use the results to improve future plans. Manage multiple customers and priorities while adapting your approach to different retailer models and shopper missions. What's in it for you? You will join the business at an exciting moment, with ambitious plans to grow our presence and partnerships in the Dutch & Belgian market. You will have the opportunity to build relationships, create new opportunities and strengthen our position as a trusted category partner. The role sits at the intersection of Sales, Marketing and Category Management, making it an excellent next step for someone who wants to broaden their commercial experience. It can also open future opportunities in senior category management, key account management, commercial excellence or commercial leadership. At Suntory, you will have the freedom to think differently, take ownership and turn your ideas into meaningful commercial impact, while working with talented colleagues across different teams and markets. What you need to be successful You combine strong relationship-building skills with commercial curiosity and the confidence to turn insights into action. You are comfortable moving between different customers and topics, and you know how to bring people with you, even when you do not have direct authority. You will also bring: Experience in Category Management, Customer Marketing, Trade Marketing or a related commercial role within FMCG or retail. The ability to translate data and insights into clear commercial recommendations and engaging customer stories. Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation and influencing skills. A proactive, opportunity-focused mindset and the drive to build new customer relationships. A good understanding of the Dutch retail landscape. Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills. Experience using market, shopper or retailer data, ideally NielsenIQ or similar data sources. The ability to manage multiple customers, stakeholders and priorities. Fluency in Dutch and English. French would be an advantage, but is not essential. A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across Sales, Marketing, Insights and other commercial teams. Experience with Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi, Kruidvat or Action, as well as range reviews, planograms, space-planning tools, Revenue Growth Management or promotional effectiveness, would be a welcome advantage. Our DE&I Commitment At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.

Core Responsibilities

Lead category planning for priority retailers in the Netherlands and Belgium, translating market, shopper, and customer insights into persuasive recommendations on assortment, pricing, shelf placement, space, and in-store activation. Partner with Key Account Managers and cross-functional teams to support customer planning and sell-in, build retailer relationships, and measure the commercial impact of category initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates should have experience in category management, customer marketing, trade marketing, or a related commercial role in FMCG or retail, along with the ability to turn data into clear customer recommendations. Strong communication, presentation, influencing, Excel, and PowerPoint skills, knowledge of the Dutch retail landscape, experience with market or shopper data, and fluency in Dutch and English are required; French and experience with named retailers or category tools are advantageous.