Category Development Manager (f/m/d) - #2141783

[Please note this is a Direct Search led by Bacardi, Applications from agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.]

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Join us as the Category Development Manager and lead strategic growth in the business unit Germany. In this high-impact role, you'll drive business and category strategies, shape commercial execution at the frontline, and build strong stakeholder partnerships that influence decisions where it matters most.

Working cross-functionally and with leading research partners, you'll bring insight-driven innovation to life, embed a category-first mindset, and deliver results through collaboration and leadership. This is your opportunity to lead boldly, drive impact, and set a new standard for excellence in the spirits industry.

As Category Development Manager for Germany, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping our future growth across diverse markets within the West Cluster. You will drive transformative business strategies by leveraging consumer, shopper, and market insights, while building powerful commercial relationships that influence decisions at the point of purchase.

YOUR TASKS - WITH OUR CONSUMER AT THE HEART YOUR KEY FOCUS WILL BE

Strategic Leadership in Business & Category Development

• Lead with Insight: Champion a data-led approach to category development by translating market dynamics, shopper behaviours, and local nuances into actionable strategies that fuel long-term, profitable growth.
• Multi-Market Impact: Design differentiated, and forward-thinking category and channel strategies tailored to the Germany and the West Cluster—driving value creation across mature and emerging market landscapes.
• Shape the Future: Identify whitespace and growth opportunities—from category premiumization to new consumption occasions—that expand Bacardi’s market share and build competitive advantage.
  
  

Commercial Partnership & Frontline Engagement

• Build Trusted Relationships: Partner closely with frontline commercial teams, key customers, and strategic partners to embed category thinking into joint business plans and customer conversations.
• Drive Execution at Shelf: Lead the implementation of space and assortment strategies aligned to the Picture of Success, ensuring Bacardi brands are optimized for visibility, conversion, and growth at the point of sale.
• Influence with Authority: Deliver compelling, insight-driven narratives backed by research partners (e.g., Nielsen, IWSR, GfK) that elevate Bacardi's voice as a category thought leader across the trade.
  
  

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Orchestrate Alignment: Act as a unifying force across Commercial Leadership, Customer Marketing, and Consumer Marketing to ensure cohesive and scalable strategies that serve the total business.
• Operationalise Excellence: Collaborate to embed repeatable, efficient, and insight-led ways of working that keep the organization externally focused and execution-ready.
• Build Capability: Work alongside Commercial Development to strengthen frontline capabilities, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver value-based selling and category leadership.
  
  

Leading People & Culture

• Inspire & Empower: Set a clear, ambitious vision that galvanizes the team to deliver against bold performance goals while embodying Bacardi’s values and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Develop a High-Performing Team: Recruit and nurture top-tier talent in category development, fostering a culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Celebrate What Makes Us Bacardi: Cultivate cultural awareness and pride in Bacardi’s heritage, creating an environment where people feel connected to our legacy and inspired to shape our future.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS - THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO CREATE YOUR LEGACY

What you will need to succeed

• Proven ambition and drive to step into leadership, with a genuine passion for inspiring and developing Primos to reach their full potential
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong grasp of commercial processes from hands-on commercial roles
• Proven experience in customer and channel dynamics
• Skilled in project and budget management
• Proficient in data analysis and turning insights into action
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Sharp analytical mindset with a focus on opportunities
• Responsible, agile, and collaborative with a positive spirit
• Fluent in German and English
  
  

PERSONAL QUALITIES – SHARE OUR FOUNDER’S PASSION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL FLAIR

In this role, we seek a candidate with a unique set of personal capabilities that transcend the ordinary. These attributes not only define your professional character but also your potential to thrive in our dynamic industry. Here's what we value:

• Belonging: You have a strong capacity to create a culture of ‘Belonging’, where people feel appreciated for who they are, what they do, and who they can become.
• Self-Awareness: You have high levels of self-awareness, are reflective and know yourself well, understanding both your own strengths and weaknesses and your impact on others.
• People Agility: You bring a deep ability to understand and relate to people and navigate through tough situations to harness and multiply collective performance.
• Results Agility: You demonstrate consistent delivery of results in first-time situations by inspiring teams, exhibiting a presence that builds confidence in yourself and others.
• Mental Agility: You can think critically to penetrate complex problems and expand the possibilities by making fresh connections. You think strategically whilst being execution focused and bring creativity to the challenges you’re presented with.
• Change Agility: You have a deep natural curiosity, desire to experiment and ability to effectively deal with the heat of change. You have a growth and learning mindset: ready to test, stumble, learn and apply from experience.
  
  

LEADERSHIP AGILITY

At Bacardi we care deeply about finding brilliant talent who can bring the following personal attributes to help elevate our 3Fs: Fearless, Family, Founder culture to the next level.

• Belonging: You have a strong capacity to create a culture of ‘Belonging’, where people feel appreciated for who they are, what they do, and who they can become
• Self-Awareness: You have high levels of self-awareness, are reflective and know yourself well, understanding both your own strengths and weaknesses and your impact on others
• People Agility: You bring a deep ability to understand and relate to people and navigate through tough situations to harness and multiply collective performance
• Results Agility: You demonstrate consistent delivery of results in first-time situations by inspiring teams, exhibiting a presence that builds confidence in yourself and others.
• Mental Agility: You can think critically to penetrate complex problems and expand the possibilities by making fresh connections. You think strategically whilst being execution focused and bring creativity to the challenges you’re presented with
• Change Agility: You have a deep natural curiosity, desire to experiment and ability to effectively deal with the heat of change. You have a growth and learning mindset: ready to test, stumble, learn and apply from experience
  
  

Disclaimer: Bacardi seeks talent from all backgrounds to bring diversity of thought, agility and capability to our organization across the globe. We promote a working environment where all employees are treated and rewarded fairly. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination that adversely affects individuals or groups on the basis of national origin, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, and any other legally protected aspect of a person’s identity.

U.S. applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

Perks of Working for us

At Bacardi, we are committed to providing our Primos (employees) with a comprehensive Total Rewards package of compensation, benefits, incentives, allowances, well-being, and much more to meet the needs of themselves and their families. It goes beyond just Cash! The total rewards program is based on pay for performance, whereby the incentive programs are linked to company and individual performance.

Compensation, Paid Time Off & Retirement:

• Competitive Pay Package
• Competitive Holiday/Paid Time Off, plus additional days offered ( i.e., volunteer day, allowing you to give back to the community)
• Retirement/Pension Plan
  
  

Health & Wellbeing

• Medical, Critical Illness, and Life Insurance
• Calm Meditation App subscription (free)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Best-in-class, family-friendly, and inclusive leave policies
  
  

Additional Benefits

The benefits /perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Bacardi, your work location, and are subject to change.

Some benefits may be subject to an employee contribution.

Some benefits may be fully or partially subsidized. Incentive plans are linked to the nature of your employment and can vary based on region, market, function or brand.