Category Specialist

Summary The Category Specialist supports the team by delivering financial reporting, insightful quantitative analysis, and effective project execution. This role enables data‑driven category decisions by translating financial performance, profitability metrics, and market data into clear insights and actionable business recommendations. In addition, the Category Specialist plays a key role in leading or supporting the financial modeling of global category projects, evaluating local initiatives, and ensuring alignment across cross‑functional teams. The position works closely with global category management, product design, and finance functions to support category strategy, investment decisions, and day‑to‑day business needs. Key Responsibilities Data & Financial Insights Build and maintain clear, reliable analytics and financial reporting for the category, including KPI tracking and performance dashboards indexing on profitability, cost structures, and financial KPIs to provide a complete category view. Analyze category profitability, market data, and financial trends to identify risks, margin opportunities, and operational efficiencies that impact category performance. Support the integration of quantitative and financial insights into senior‑level business reviews, executive presentations, and category strategy updates. Cross-Functional Collaboration Drive gathering of inputs from Finance, Commercial Business Units, Product Design, and Manufacturing to align financial assumptions and ensure connectivity across all parts of the category during the development of strategy. Serve as a liaison between Category, different functions, and commercial teams to align on cost impacts, margin trends, financial viability of innovation needs and other key data for the management of the category. Projects & Business Case Development Surface and leverage data‑based insights to help determine prioritization and investment decisions for category projects. Translate analytical insights into robust business cases (including cost‑benefit and variance analysis) to support the planning, coordination, and tracking of projects across the category. Oversee the category project portfolio by ensuring financial tools, documentation, and governance processes are completed accurately and on time. Maintain a high‑level view of resource needs, budget timelines, and implications across category priority projects, proactively highlighting issues that may impact delivery or profitability. Lead global, cross‑functional category roadmap projects, ensuring stakeholder success criteria, financial impacts, and strategic objectives remain aligned throughout the project life cycle. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, Data Analytics, Marketing or a related quantitative field. 2‑4 years of professional experience in financial analysis, FP&A, commercial finance, data analytics, or a related analytical discipline is preferred. Exceptional business acumen and problem‑solving skills with proficiency in data modeling and reporting tools. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and work ethic. #J-18808-Ljbffr