Perfetti Van Melle · 3 hours ago
Senior Category Commercialization Manager
Cincinnati Metro
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
10+ years expPerfetti Van Melle is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum. They are seeking a Senior Category Commercialization Manager to lead innovation commercialization and ensure launch readiness in the confections category, developing growth plans and collaborating with various teams.
Food and Beverage
Responsibilities
Lead Innovation Commercialization & Launch Readiness Across Functions
Take new products from concept → launch-ready → retail sell-in → on shelf
Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure readiness (Marketing, Sales, RGM, Insights, Supply Chain & Finance)
Represent innovation needs at channel level ensuring the right packs/products are developed to meet market needs
Develop Category-Level Growth Plans
Work with Marketing to develop brand story, including what shoppers and customers care about
Provide business intelligence for specific brand/products, be well versed on what is happening in the business
Turn insights & category strategies into clear sales execution guidance
Represent the Priorities of Sales and Marketing
Ensure brand plans fit retailer strategy & shopper behavior
Guide sales on customer prioritization of new items and brand initiatives
Represent customer and field voice in internal, cross-functional meetings
Build Commercial Sell-In Tools & Resources
Partner with Marketing & Insights to build new item selling stories & brand stories
Provide new item prioritization and merchandising direction
Identify Opportunities to Improve & Adjust Performance
Evaluate Perfetti performance in market & recommend course corrections and/or expansion of success
Apply learning to future new items and initiative to continually improve execution and results
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business or related field required
10+ years CPG experience
Experience in Trade, Customer Planning, or a Field Sales role with customer exposure
Strong understanding of channel and key retailer practices
Involvement with customer annual planning process
Ability to work effectively across departments — Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Category/Insights, Retail Growth Management
Demonstrated ability to influence across the organization
Matrix management and project management experience
Financial acumen - P&L management exposure
Thrives in fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while being highly organized and structured
Excellent communication skills, both verbal / written with internal / external contacts
Senior level relationship building skills and direct decision making
Strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills
Preferred
MBA preferred
Benefits
PTO package including vacation, sick, personal, and pay it forward time off
13 paid holidays
401k with Company Match up to 8%, ranking in the top 1% of the country
Annual Bonus potential and merit-based increases
Comprehensive Health Insurance
Annual Well-Being subsidy
Maternity & Paternity leave options
Sam's Club or Costco annual membership reimbursement
Tuition-Free College Program
Modest monthly candy allotment (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos)
Company
Perfetti Van Melle
Perfetti Van Melle is a privately owned company, producing and distributing candies and chewing gums in more than 150 countries worldwide.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Sylvia Buxton
President | CEO, North America
Fred King
CFO Perfetti Van Melle North America
Recent News
Food Business News
2025-12-06
Food Business News
2025-12-04
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