About the business:

JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS (JDE) is a €5 billion global business retaining a start-up feel and containing some of the leading brands in Coffee and Tea – Kenco, Douwe Egberts, TASSIMO and Jacobs to name a few.

The UK represents a top 5 global market for JDE and has experienced 8 years of continual growth, with our TASSIMO brand being a standout performer with continuous year on year double digit growth. JDE UK is the number 2 branded coffee supplier to the UK retail trade with approx. 30% market share of this growing £1bn+ RSV category.

JDE is a growth engine for the category driving premiumisation by leading the single-serve partition with the Tassimo brand and premiumising the instant coffee segment through Kenco, Douwe Egberts and the newly launched L’Or brand.

Business context of the role:

Commercially JDE is divided into two business units, Retail and Professional. The Retail business unit is aligned with the ‘at home’ consumption of our brands including the traditional top 4 grocers, discounters and convenience.

The retail unit makes up around 75% of the UK&I business and this position sits within the Customer Category Development & Revenue Growth team. 

About the role:

As a Customer category development specialist, you will be part of the Revenue & Category Growth Team, which forms part of the wider Sales function. You will report to the Customer Category Development Team Manager, working cross functionally with other departments to deliver the Coffee Category goals.

Primarily, the Customer Category Development Specialist is accountable for the execution in customers of the vision, strategy and opportunities identified in the AOP. They are also responsible for implementing and delivering the category Big Bets and NPD and ensuring they are “Ready to Sell” for customers.

The Customer Cat Dev Specialist is also responsible for the development and implementation of all strategic and operational customer activities related to our coffee portfolio. These activities are based on the category vision & strategy, analysis of shopper behaviour and opportunities as identified by the Customer Category Development Manager.

The Customer Cat Dev Specialist owns, develops and implements retailer specific category plans in co-operation with the customer and National Account manager.

Key responsibilities of the role:  

• Making overall category plans customer specific and ensuring best in class activation to create a long-term growth Agenda and Plan
• Developing, translating and promoting a tailor made category vision for specific customer(s). Monitoring the implementation of the strategy and achieving the defined targets
• Implementation of category and shopper projects by account(s), to ensure the achievement of the defined targets within budget. Identify customer opportunities and trends and react accordingly
• Co-responsible for the successful implementation of NPD’s and of re-launches, to ensure distribution, market share and profit.
• The Analysis, implementation & evaluation of the in-store activation plans to support NPD’s and marketing initiatives using customer specific data where possible. This includes rigorous post-evaluation to develop key insights for future strategy development for both the customer & JDE.
• Providing best in class Shopper Activation solutions.
• Responsible for delivering the Perfect Store in customers that’s in-line with the category vision.  The role also advises Sales on the distribution and assortment strategy as well as developing customer specific planograms.
• Own the customer range review calendar and ensure alignment with marketing and other key stakeholders on optimum launch dates
• Evaluating promotional activity and advising both the national account manager and the customer on how they can increase sales and profit

• This role would suit a graduate with a minimum of 3yrs experience in a commercial role (Sales, Category etc) and with knowledge of the FMCG market retailers and shoppers.
• This role would particularly suit someone with problem-solving skills who enjoys working with numbers and has a track record of delivering range review results or developing a category strategy. The candidate should also:
• Have knowledge of several information system tools (Nielsen, IRI, Kantar, Dunnhumby etc)
• Able to work closely with numbers and break down complexity to deliver clear messaging
• Self-Motivated – highly disciplined
• Influencing skills – good impact presenting to different levels of stakeholders
• Management & customers and also credible with Account Managers
• Be accountable and have a drive to deliver results
• Be degree educated (or equivalent).
• Be mobile and willing to travel.
• Good knowledge of English
• Good knowledge of Excel, Powerpoint
• Understanding of space and range principles

What’s it like to work at JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS?

We are proud of our passionate and driven associates who challenge the status quo and pursue mastery in everything they do. Our goal is simple and ambitious – JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS: A coffee for every cup

Working with us means you’ll be making an impact in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. We work as a team, celebrating success and support one another. Our associates work with a diverse group of like-minded people in an innovative environment committed to doing the right thing across the globe. Your achievements here will get noticed.

Jacobs Douwe Egberts is a global coffee & tea company, serving consumers in more than 80 countries through iconic brands including: JACOBS, TASSIMO, MOCCONA, SENSEO, L'OR, DOUWE EGBERTS, KENCO, PILAO and GEVALIA