Senior Category Development Manager

Culture and Benefits

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.

The Perks

• 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 
• 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.

About out role

We currently have an opportunity for a Senior Category Development Manager – NZ to join Simplot on a permanent, full time basis, based in our Auckland office. This role reports to our Senior Manager – Category Development & Market Insights ANZ.

As the Category Development lead for New Zealand, this role is responsible for generating meaningful category and shopper insights, building compelling stories for our retail partners, and helping shape the commercial plan for the NZ business. You will partner closely with our retailers, commercial teams, and agency partners to identify growth opportunities across multiple categories.

What you will do

• Lead the development of category and shopper insights to inform commercial plans and growth opportunities across the NZ retail market. 
• Translate data from agencies such as Circana, Quantium and Dunnhumby into compelling stories for customers, supporting range reviews, strategy days and customer presentations. 
• Build ranging and shelf layout proposals to strengthen Simplot’s in store presence. 
• Manage key agency relationships and ensure consistent delivery of NZ scan data and monthly reporting. 
• Deliver ad hoc category analysis and shopper insights to support marketing, sales, revenue management and commercial planning. 
• Support the annual budgeting, IBP cycle and longer term commercial planning process for the NZ business. 
• Partner closely with NZ retail teams, the Country Manager, Marketing, Finance and Australian Category Development teams. 
• Contribute to developing best practice ways of working across ANZ, and support the upskilling of broader teams on data tools and insights. 
• Act as a confident leader within the NZ team – influencing, challenging, and advocating for priorities where needed.

About You

• Experienced in category development or data/insights roles, ideally 3–5 years within FMCG, retail, liquor or agency environments. 
• Strong analytical capability with confidence working across multiple data sources (e.g., Circana, Dunnhumby, Quantium). 
• Skilled at translating data into clear commercial recommendations and compelling customer stories. 
• Confident communicator with strong presentation and influencing skills, comfortable engaging senior stakeholders. 
• Assertive, proactive and able to push back where needed; capable of leading category thinking for the NZ market with a high level of autonomy. 
• Strong time management, ability to manage competing priorities across multiple categories. 
• Collaborative team player who builds strong partnerships across NZ and AU teams. 
• Tertiary qualification in Marketing, Commerce or Business preferred, though relevant experience will also be considered.

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

Applications close Friday 27th March 2026. Simplot reserves the right to commence recruiting activity prior to closing date.  

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