Manager - Category (Target)

Job Title: Manager, Skincare Category Development - L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty (LDB)

Division: L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty

Department:  Commercial Category Management

Reports To: Sr. Category Manager

Location: Minneapolis, MN 

Who We Are: 

For more than a century, L’Oréal has devoted its energy, innovation, and scientific excellence solely to one business: Beauty. Our goal is to offer each and every person around the world the best of beauty in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility to satisfy all beauty needs and desires in their infinite diversity.

At L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty, our mission is to help everyone in their quest for healthy and beautiful skin. Our division is the world leader in dermo-cosmetics by adding health to beauty. Our brands portfolio includes CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Vichy, SkinCeuticals and Skinbetter Science offering a range of skincare and haircare products to respond to all expectations linked to beauty and health of the skin. 

What You Will Do:

Are you a highly strategic and insights-driven Category Manager? If you possess a profound passion for the beauty sector and a proven ability to translate market intelligence into robust growth strategies, this role is for you. You will be instrumental in optimizing category performance and leading targeted growth initiatives with our key retail partner, influencing outcomes through your expert analysis and strategic recommendations.

This critical role will leverage deep shopper understanding, market analysis, strong analytical skills and omni-channel expertise to accelerate the growth of Skin care portfolio at the assigned retailer. The ideal candidate will be a highly collaborative individual, possessing superior analytical skills and an in-depth understanding of the retail landscape, with the ability to effectively translate observations and data into actionable insights.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Conduct comprehensive category analysis to effectively shape and direct our overarching Facial Skincare category strategy.
• Develop and execute category strategies that align with retailer objectives, leveraging competitive trends, market data, shopper and consumer insights.
• Strategically enhance product assortments by refining the product mix, optimizing placement, integrating innovative strategies, and aligning with current category trends.
• Activate the category strategy by designing and implementing both virtual and physical planograms that drive execution and enhance shopper experience.
• Partner cross-functionally with Buyers, Planners, SEM and Space Planning teams to ensure cohesive execution of category initiatives.
• Deliver actionable shopper and market insights by translating syndicated data sources such as NielsenIQ, Market360, Numerator, Spate, Suzy panel research, Ipsos panel research, social engagement tools, Retailer loyalty system, bespoke shopper studies (CDJ’s, Shopper Perception, UX studies, Merchandizing Studies and external market research (ex. Euromonitor, Kantar, Kline, Mintel).

• Serve as the category subject matter expert, influencing key decisions by providing internal stakeholders and retail partners with fact-based, strategic recommendations. 

Measures of Success: 

• Deliver quality Internal and external strategic insights
• Category growth at assigned retailer
• Collaborate with the retailer to develop category strategies
• Strong cross-functional partnerships at assigned retailer
• Deliver category projects such as category reviews, test concept proposals, online and in-store competative assessments.
• Deliver shopper-centric planograms that reflect best-in-class merchandising principles
• Drive shopper penetration at assigned retailer

What We Are Looking For:

We are seeking a highly driven and results-oriented professional who can effectively translate comprehensive market and shopper insights into actionable strategies. This individual will be instrumental in driving profitable growth for the Skincare portfolio within an assigned retail account. The successful candidate will possess a profound understanding of category management principles, exceptional analytical capabilities, and a proven ability to strategically influence both internal teams and external stakeholders. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a category management role, Target experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success in landing range reviews, developing retailer strategies, and executing impactful projects. 
• Proven ability to generate actionable insights.
• Strong knowledge of shopper insights and their application to category management. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to provide structured recommendations and drive action plans. 
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data tools - VIQ, Numerator, Nielsen.
• Proficiency with planogram software - Blue Yonder/JDA.
• Beauty experience a plus.