📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth
🔹 Company: DSM
🔹 Location: Shelton, CT
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (3 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing customer-specific programs to drive market impact and share growth
- Leading customer marketing for the Women’s Health business unit
- Overseeing category management initiatives and business planning
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and 3rd party vendors
- Analyzing market data and driving strategic decision-making
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Shape channel and customer strategies, including pricing, assortment, shelving, and promotional tactics to maximize market impact and share growth
✅ Lead Customer Marketing for the Women’s Health business unit, driving strategy across customer development and category management
✅ Develop and execute customer-specific programs (e.g., displays, special packs, shopper marketing) in collaboration with cross-functional teams and 3rd party vendors
✅ Oversee category management initiatives, including line reviews, innovation roadshows, and planogram optimization supported by omnichannel market analysis
✅ Drive business planning and performance management, partnering with sales to align on KPIs and lead quarterly and annual business reviews
✅ Own the development of compelling category selling materials and lead forecasting and distribution analysis for senior leadership decision-making
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration to drive business growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; MBA a plus
Experience: 10+ years of experience in CPG, retail, or consumer goods, with a strong track record in sales, customer development
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership in managing teams and driving strategy from vision to execution within the CPG sector
- Deep understanding of sales channels, trade dynamics, and commercial levers to drive business success
- Expertise in data analysis and category management, including space-to-sales and planogram development
- Strong relationship-building skills with key retail partners to influence growth and deliver impactful results
Preferred Skills:
- MBA degree
- Experience in the Women’s Health category
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in commercial strategy, customer growth, and category management within the CPG industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 (Based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in CPG with 10+ years of experience in the Northeast region)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in the Shelton office, 2 days remote)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing, specifically focused on nutrition, health, and beauty products
Company Size: 10,001+ employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development
Founded: 1901, with a rich history and established reputation in the industry
Company Description:
- Innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, reinventing, manufacturing, and combining vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population
- Committed to creating what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet
- Operates in almost 60 countries with revenues of over €12 billion
Company Specialties:
- Fragrances
- Ingredients
- Flavours
- Natural ingredients
- Perfumery and beauty
- Sustainability
- Health
- Animal nutrition and health
- Taste
- Texture and health
- Nutrition
- Vitamins
- Early life nutrition
- Baking ingredients
- And biomedical
Company Website: www.dsm-firmenich.com
ASSUMPTION: DSM-Firmenich is a large, global company with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and improving lives through its products.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager, with potential growth opportunities into Director or Vice President roles
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 days in the Shelton office and 2 days remote
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression into Director or Vice President roles within the Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth function
- Broad exposure to various aspects of the business, fostering well-rounded development
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with senior leadership
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential within the Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth function and exposure to various aspects of the business.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a modern, collaborative office space in Shelton, CT
Office Location(s): Shelton, CT
Geographic Context:
- Shelton, CT is located in Fairfield County, approximately 70 miles from New York City
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and beaches
- Fairfield County has a strong job market, with many opportunities in various industries
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in the office, 2 days remote)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final round interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Leadership and team management skills
- Customer-centric mindset and understanding of retail dynamics
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral-based interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and leadership experiences
- Research DSM-Firmenich and the Women’s Health category to demonstrate your industry knowledge
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
ATS Keywords: Commercial Strategy, Customer Growth, Category Management, Sales, Marketing, Retail, CPG, Data Analysis, Leadership, Team Management, Women’s Health
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your strategic thinking, leadership skills, and industry knowledge, with a strong emphasis on cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Tableau)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce)
- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis tools, and CRM software is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centricity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
- Integrity
- Responsibility
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on driving results
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data to inform decision-making
- Adaptable and resilient, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, and are you comfortable working in a hybrid setting?
- Are you skilled in data analysis and interpretation, and do you enjoy using data to drive strategic decision-making?
- Do you have strong leadership and team management skills, and are you comfortable working with cross-functional teams?
- Are you passionate about the Women’s Health category and committed to driving growth and innovation in this space?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have strong data analysis, leadership, and team management skills.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
- Adapting to changes in the market and business priorities
- Balancing strategic planning with tactical execution
- Working in a hybrid environment, with some days in the office and others remote
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong time management, communication, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on commercial strategy and customer growth within the Women’s Health category
- Compared to other Senior Manager roles in CPG, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities and growth opportunities
- Career progression in this role could lead to Director or Vice President positions within the Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth function
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration, with strong growth potential.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a customer-specific promotional campaign to drive sales and market share growth in the Women’s Health category
- Analyzing market data to identify new opportunities for product innovation and expansion within the Women’s Health category
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize category management initiatives and drive business growth
ASSUMPTION: These projects require strong data analysis, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Women’s Health category, and how does this role address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other functions within the organization, such as sales, marketing, and R&D?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does DSM-Firmenich support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working in the Commercial Strategy & Customer Growth function at DSM-Firmenich?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral-based interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and leadership experiences
- Research DSM-Firmenich and the Women’s Health category to demonstrate your industry knowledge
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
