Category Leader

Role Summary The Category Manager is responsible for driving portfolio strategy, product lifecycle management, and profitable growth across assigned seed categories. This role serves as a key link between regional and country teams to ensure effective product positioning, successful launches, and strong market execution aligned to business objectives. Key Responsibilities Strategy & Portfolio Management * Drive profitable pricing and portfolio strategy for the Seeds category, delivering both short- and long-term revenue and margin objectives. * Develop and execute crop and hybrid-specific strategies, including segmentation, targeting, and positioning for key markets. * Identify market opportunities through robust market analysis and customer insights to support growth and expansion plans. * Build and manage business cases for new product introductions and portfolio optimization initiatives. Product Development & Launch Excellence * Partner with regional marketing, R&D, and regulatory teams to manage product lifecycle and ensure timely product availability and launches. * Monitor product development and registration timelines (where applicable) to ensure seamless commercialization. * Develop clear value propositions for new hybrids/varieties based on field data, agronomic advantages, and customer needs. * Lead go-to-market planning and execution for new seed launches, ensuring alignment across cross-functional teams. Marketing Execution * Design and support demand plans in collaboration with sales and marketing teams to drive market adoption. * Work closely with marketing communications and digital teams to design impactful campaigns and product positioning. * Track and evaluate campaign effectiveness and optimize strategies based on insights and feedback. * Develop customer engagement and loyalty programs to strengthen brand and product adoption. Business Planning & Performance Management * Own the sales and expense planning process for the assigned category, including forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking. * Collaborate with sales teams to align on targets, execution priorities, and market deployment plans. * Monitor business performance and take proactive actions to address gaps and drive growth. Stakeholder Management & Leadership * Act as the central point of contact for category-related communication across global, regional, and country stakeholders. * Drive alignment and secure buy-in for product strategies within the country organization. * Lead cross-functional teams (e.g., Product/Portfolio Teams) to ensure integrated planning and execution. Supply & Inventory Management * Define and manage inventory strategies in collaboration with supply chain teams to ensure optimal availability while minimizing excess. * Align country-level demand plans with regional and global supply strategies. Qualifications & Experience Education * Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred). Experience * Minimum 10 years of experience in marketing, product management, or portfolio management within seeds/agri-inputs or related industries. * Proven track record of driving growth through strategic marketing and execution excellence. * Hands-on experience in product launches and lifecycle management within the Seeds or Agri domain. * Strong understanding of farmer/customer needs, market dynamics, and channel ecosystems. Skills & Competencies * Strong strategic thinking and analytical capability * Deep understanding of seed business, crop cycles, and agronomic value drivers * Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills * Strong communication and presentation skills * Ability to translate data and insights into actionable business strategies