Senior Category Manager

SC JOHNSON IS A FIFTH-GENERATION FAMILY COMPANY BUILT ON THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers – such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story.

Senior Category Manager

Internal title:  Associate Manager, Category Management

• Location: Erkrath

• Function: Sales / Category Management / Commercial Excellence

Overview

We are looking for a driven Senior Category Manager to strengthen our DACH Sales team and elevate how we win at the shelf—both offline and online. You will play a key role in delivering category-centric insights, shopper-driven recommendations, and best-in-class execution across our retail partners in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

About the Role

This role sits at the intersection of Sales and Marketing and plays a critical part in shaping category, assortment, shelving, and promotion strategies across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Acting as a category expert and strategic partner, you will turn data into insights, insights into recommendations, and recommendations into strong in‑store and omnichannel execution with our retail partners.

You will have high visibility across the organization and real influence on customer decisions, category growth strategies, and commercial planning.

About the Team / Department

You will join the DACH Sales team, working closely with Key Account Management, Marketing, and Insights. The team is collaborative, performance‑driven, and strongly connected to our values—supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and focusing on sustainable, long-term growth for our categories and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end Category Management processes, from strategy development to in-market execution

• Support the creation and rollout of category strategies for key DACH customers

• Analyze market, shopper, and customer data (e.g., NielsenIQ, GfK, Focus, internal sales data) to generate actionable insights

• Translate insights into clear, compelling recommendations on assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotions

• Prepare and deliver category reviews and customer presentations in close collaboration with Key Account Managers and Marketing

• Monitor category and brand performance, identifying risks and growth opportunities

• Support promotion planning and evaluation, including post-promotion analysis

• Partner closely with Marketing to align on category priorities, innovation launches, and shopper initiatives

• Ensure data accuracy, reporting consistency, and timely delivery of analyses

• Contribute to the development of category tools, guidelines, and best practices

• Act as a trusted category expert within the Sales organization

• Strengthen cross-functional ways of working to build robust commercial plans and support NPD launches

Experience You’ll Bring

• Degree in Business, Economics, Marketing, or a related field

• 3–5 years of experience in Category Management, Sales, or Insights—ideally within FMCG

• Strong analytical capabilities with advanced Excel skills

• Hands-on experience working with syndicated data (e.g., NielsenIQ, GfK)

• Solid understanding of category management principles and the DACH retail landscape

• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable business recommendations

• Fluency in German and English

Behaviors You’ll Need

• Structured, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities

• Strong communication and storytelling skills

• Confidence in influencing stakeholders without formal authority

• Proactive, curious, and solution-oriented mindset

• Collaborative approach and openness to cross-functional perspectives

• Ownership mentality aligned with a family-owned, values-driven culture

Nice to Have / Preferred Experience

• Direct experience working with retail customers on category or shopper topics

• Familiarity with planogram tools and space management concepts

• Exposure to Revenue Growth Management and pricing/promo analytics

• Experience in regional or cross-country roles within a matrix organization

• Understanding of omnichannel category dynamics (store + eCommerce)

• GS1 Certified Category Manager

What’s in it for you?

We offer an excellent opportunity for career development and progression, a highly collaborative work environment and an autonomous and flexible working culture where you will be able to add value and be recognized and rewarded.

• Meaningful exposure to category growth strategies in a leading FMCG company

• Opportunity to influence key retail decisions through insights and data

• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Sales and Marketing

• Development opportunities in a stable, family-owned company with a long-term focus

• Values-led culture that invests in people and sustainable growth

You need to be eligible to work in the country of application.

This role is not eligible for relocation.
Remote work available once a week for eligible employees.

Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member.

Come join us and make an impact through iconic global brands.

GO FURTHER WITH OUR FAMILY™

#LI-MF1

Inclusion & Diversity 

We’re a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment where all people can thrive.  

We’re committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion.