Category Development Manager – Eastern Europe

📍 Location: Poland
🕒 Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time
💰 Salary: Up to €42,000 gross per annum + discretionary bonus
📊 Grade: 4
🚀 Start date: ASAP

About the Role

A global leader in the FMCG sector is seeking a Category Development Manager to join the Eastern Europe Division. Based in Poland, this role offers the chance to shape retail and distribution strategies across the region, enhance visibility, and drive sales performance of a diverse portfolio.

Reporting to the Category Development Director, Eastern Europe Division, you will be part of the Business Intelligence Team, playing a key role in delivering execution excellence and commercial growth.

Key Responsibilities

  • Implement Category Management principles and the Portfolio Look of Success across Poland and other assigned geographies.

  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with Distributor Partners and Category Management Teams to align on joint strategies.

  • Partner with key customers to drive category growth through distribution, space, and display improvements, boosting sales and profitability.

  • Optimize product portfolio ranges, merchandising standards, and shelf adjacencies, including space planning and planogram analysis (Nielsen data).

  • Lead sales planning and reviews, monitoring KPIs, identifying trends, and highlighting growth opportunities.

  • Distribute planograms and sales tools to the sales force, ensuring alignment and engagement.

  • Collaborate with Brand and Trade Marketing Teams to adapt sales arguments for assigned geographies.

  • Monitor execution standards with partners and track sales results to reinforce excellence across Eastern Europe and the wider EMEA region.

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • 4–5 years’ experience in FMCG, ideally in Category, Merchandising, or Shopper Marketing.

  • Proven ability to set merchandising standards, manage space planning, and build compelling sales rationale.

  • Strong analytical skills, with experience leveraging Nielsen data to turn insights into action.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

  • Excellent project management abilities, from concept to completion.

  • Effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills across all levels.

  • Proactive, driven, and curious problem-solver.

  • Degree-level education with strong numeric, analytical, and presentation skills.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary (up to €42,000 gross p.a.) plus performance-related incentives.

  • The chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

  • International exposure across diverse markets and major retail partners.

  • Professional development and clear career growth opportunities.