Assistant Category Strategy Manager

In Australia, the J.R. Simplot Company's core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to major retail and foodservice customers in Australia and New Zealand. The Simplot Global Food business includes 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, serving retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, with 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Globally, the J.R. Simplot Company employs 15,000 people, driving innovation and excellence across diverse industries.

Within the Australian market, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating meals that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Aussie life for generations, and include Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

At Simplot, we are fuelled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values: 

• Respect for Resources
• Spirit of Innovation
• Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

• Flexible working arrangements and a variety of engaging Health and Wellbeing programs
• Diverse Leadership Development Programs and Professional Development Support
• Employee Reward and Recognition Program
• Bonus incentives and discounted Health Insurance
• Sensory Club Program – Enjoy and taste our new product launches and access to our Culinary cooking sessions
• Novated Car Leasing Agreements
• Income Protection Insurance
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

Simplot values the creativity and meaningful relationships that grow through face-to-face connection while also recognising the importance of flexibility for our team members. Our hybrid work environment includes four days in the office, with Wednesdays as our dedicated 'Connect Day' bringing everyone together to strengthen our successful culture of innovation and collaboration. 

We currently have an opportunity for a passionate and analytical Assistant Category Manager – Veg & Potato to join our team at Simplot. This permanent, full-time role is based at our Chifley Park office in Mentone and reports directly to the Category Director. As a key support to the Category Director, this role will play an important role in driving strategic analysis and helping manage the overall performance and direction of the Veg & Potato categories.

This role contributes to the execution of our Category Strategy, helping deliver outcomes that fuel business growth and align with stakeholders across the organisation to achieve the ambitions of our Long Range Plan (LRP). 

You will assist in guiding the long-term financial health of the category, identifying new opportunities and optimising existing ones, while working cross-functionally to ensure an end-to-end business perspective. Acting as the Voice of Category, you will provide insights into the commercial shape and health of the category, and help assess the long-term impact of today's decisions.

• Build knowledge and input into the design of the strategy and aspirations for long-term category success.
• Assist with driving category projections and solutions by using Market, Customer, Shopper, and Consumer insights.
• Support guiding the business for LRP and long-term growth based on market and key assumptions.
• Ensure short-term plans are aligned to the long-term strategy and vision, being informed and resolving or elevating where required.
• Support functional stakeholders on short-term challenges in the context of long-term strategy, influencing and holding teams accountable.
• Support key commercial projects or commercial streams of total business projects.
• Support the engagement and alignment of the CST (or cross-functional variant) to ensure tracking, refreshing, and delivery of the Category Top 5s, the strategic end-to-end category business plan.
• Assist with driving accountability to ensure the category meets budgets and targets.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and communication across all operating divisions, promoting a "one team" mindset.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to understand and share local and global trends, influences, and possible disruptors, converting this knowledge into action and commercial outcomes while educating the business.

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing or a related field
• Current knowledge of and experience with developing strategic plans in the Food or FMCG industry.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand and analyse detailed financial information and reports.
• Demonstrated business judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify, prioritise, and articulate high-impact initiatives.
• Experience in managing change that impacts both the team and broader business.
• Confident and curious, with a willingness to speak up, learn, and understand the end-to-end business.
• Able to interpret data and generate actionable insight, not just analytical, but insight driven.
• Big-picture thinker, ability to understand long term plans and path to achieve them.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain cross-functional relationships and build collaborative teams.
• Proven experience working in matrix environments, successfully engaging, influencing, and supporting multiple stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present and influence at a senior level and build credibility with external stakeholders.

If this sounds like you, then please apply online now. 

Applications close Friday 19th September. Simplot reserves the right to commence recruiting activity prior to closing date.  

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Job Requisition ID: 22952 

Travel Required: Up to 25% 

Location(s): GF Chifley Business Park Office - Melbourne 

Country: Australia 

Simplot is an equal opportunity employer and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. If you feel you would be a great addition to our team please apply online today, we would love to hear from you. If you require technical assistance, please email us