The Original Red Bull
SalesFull-time
Category Specialist
Cape Town, South Africa

Our goal is to be known as the thought leader when it comes to all topics Category and Shopper.
The Category specialist will play an integral role in building, developing and maintaining credible, long-term relationships with Red Bull’s retail partners.

Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Specialist owns the account- and channel-level category blueprint across retail and gas, including planograms, ranging and space recommendations, category solutions, and category captaincy materials.

The role combines shopper, customer and performance data to build credible recommendations that help retail partners grow the Energy and wider Beverage category, and equip Sales teams to win space, distribution and execution.

ResponsibilitiesAreas that play to your strengths

All the responsibilities we'll trust you with:

Travel 20-30
CATEGORY & SHOPPER EXPERT
  • Build trusted working relationships with National Account teams, Sales leaders and priority customers.

  • Support and, where appropriate, lead category conversations and reviews with customers, using fact-based recommendations that balance total-category growth, shopper needs.

  • Contribute to customer business planning and joint business plans by identifying clear opportunities across range, space, location, availability, pricing, promotions and execution.

  • Translate recommendations into clear actions for Key Account Managers, field sales, merchandising teams and customer stakeholders.

INSIGHTS, ANALYTICS & CATEGORY REVIEWS
  • Analyse NielsenIQ or equivalent syndicated data, retailer scan and loyalty data, shopper research, market demographics, internal sales data and execution measures.

  • Track category size, growth, share, distribution, rate of sale, price, promotion, innovation, competitor activity and shopper behaviour to identify risks and opportunities.

  • Produce regular category reviews and account-specific recommendations that explain what is happening, why it is happening and what action should follow.

  • Partner with the Insights team on shopper and channel research, ensuring findings are translated into category and execution choices.

  • Act as an internal category subject-matter resource, sharing relevant trends, tools and recommendations across the commercial organisation.

TURN INSIGHTS INTO CATEGORY SOLUTIONS & IN-STORE EXECUTION
  • Develop and scale repeatable, insight-led solutions such as Beverage Zones, Energy Zones, impulse executions and cross-merchandising solutions.

  • Tailor solutions by customer, store format and channel.

  • Identify white-space opportunities and convert them into defined propositions with an execution standard and commercial rationale.

  • Partner with POS, Trade Marketing and Field Sales to ensure solutions are practical, customer-ready and implemented to the agreed Look of Success.

  • Support pilots, evaluate results and codify winning approaches for broader rollout.

SPACE MANAGEMENT EXPERT
  • Be a key consultant in the development, maintenance and governance of customer and channel planograms for the Energy and Beverage category.

  • Apply clear principles for assortment, SKU productivity, share of space, shelf flow, adjacency, pack architecture, shelf position and points of interruption.

  • Use retailer data, syndicated scan data and shopper insights to recommend optimal ranges and space allocation by store format, cluster, account and channel.

  • Monitor planogram compliance and execution quality with Sales and merchandising teams, identifying gaps and corrective actions.

  • Maintain accessible, version-controlled planogram libraries and supporting guidance for internal teams and retail partners.

TURNING INSIGHTS INTO ACTION
  • Identify key opportunities for Red Bull and educate the field team on how to capitalize on these opportunities through training days.

  • Further equip the field team to action in trade in form of insights one-pagers that help sell in shelf space allocation of category and Red Bull, new item listings, disruptive display placements, additional cooler placements and other identified category opportunities.

  • Support category team in managing and planning the annual “retailer meets shopper” conference, giving our retailers the competitive edge through understanding the latest shopper and retail trends through a day of influential speakers.

  • Training of retailer’s broader teams on Category management through training days in order to further position ourselves as the category & shopper experts

Experience
Your areas of knowledge and expertiseThis matter most for this role:
  • Minimum 3-5 years experience in Category, Insights analyses or Key Account sales in the FMCG industry.
  • This highly analytical, organized, and self-motivated individual must have the ability to draw insights from multiple complex data sources.
  • Excellent analytical skills are needed not only to evaluate, but to provide useful, actionable tools that are clear, meaningful, and delivered in a timely manner.
  • Experience working with syndicated data (Nielsen & IRI), Nielsen Panel (homescan) and shopper metrics.
  • Customer facing experience a must; travels up to 25% of the time working with retailers.
  • Familiar with Planogram software, such as JDA is an asset.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
  • In-depth knowledge of the FMCG industry and South African Retail Industry.
  • Strong project management and planning competencies.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are required to express analytics and deliver presentations to various levels in the organization.
JOIN THE TEAMGot what it takes?In your application we want to see your personal style - what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.
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This job description is not exhaustive of the potential duties that the successful applicant will be required to perform, and is provided solely to assist potential job applicants in determining their suitability for the role and to apply for the job. It is not an offer of employment and Red Bull is under no obligation to hire an applicant who submits an application.
LocationWhere you'll be based

Red Bull South Africa operates from its office in Cape Town, where dynamic and creative teams work together to grow the brand and Give Wings to People and Ideas. From Cape Town, teams bring Red Bull to life across South Africa through local initiatives, consumer experiences, partnerships, and events.

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Love life, love work and challenge yourself to turn your talents into strengths, sharpen your skills and keep raising the bar.

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How can I get a job at Red Bull?

Red Bull stands for individuality, authenticity and creativity. This is also what we expect from our employees. If you'd like to become part of Red Bull, bring your true and unique self to the application process.

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Finding the right person for a role requires a thorough selection process. We may require a personality assessment, a video and/or in-person interview, an assignment or even a job simulation. The hiring team will share details of the process in advance.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the recruitment process?

Throughout your recruitment journey, you’ll come across moments where using AI could be an option. We encourage you to approach this with the same freedom & responsibility we offer our employees. Our recruitment process is all about getting to know you as an individual - what makes you unique, your strengths, your passions. You might use AI to polish your resume or prepare for interviews but remember nothing beats real human connection. When it comes to Red Bull Wingfinder or a video assessment, we want to see and hear your personality and feel the energy you bring. Likewise, think of a Case Study as more than just a task. It’s your chance to show us what you can really do, experience the role, and assess if it’s the right fit for you. By relying on AI, you risk missing the chance to truly stand out!

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Once you submit your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Afterwards you can expect to hear from us within two weeks.

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Category Specialist
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