Junior Category Manager

Location: Ponsonby, Auckland
Job Type: 12 Month Fixed Term - Full-time or Part-time

Are you a category and shopper marketing super star who can hit the ground running?

About Us

Located in the vibrant heart of Ponsonby, Auckland, Barker’s Auckland office is a dynamic hub where creativity, strategy, and innovation come together. While our roots remain firmly planted in Geraldine, our Ponsonby office plays a key role in driving the Barker’s brand forward—supporting marketing, sales, product development, and business operations. Here, you’ll find a passionate team working collaboratively to deliver high-quality fruit products to customers across New Zealand and beyond. If you’re looking to join a workplace that blends professionalism with personality, and tradition with forward-thinking energy, Barker’s Ponsonby is the place to be!

With 220 employees across our total New Zealand business, and our Auckland-based sales and marketing team growing, job opportunities are diverse and exciting. We are now seeking a Category Manager for our FMCG team in our Ponsonby office on a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.

About the Role

This position reports to our FMCG Sales Manager and plays a pivotal role in driving category insights, leading the demanding planning process for FMCG and supporting trade marketing initiatives. You’ll work closely with our Marketing Managers, Twin Agency (our sales agency), and retailer partners such as Precision and Cartology to ensure our strategies deliver maximum impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Forecasting & Demand Planning: Deliver accurate forecasts to support supply chain and sales objectives.

• Sales Reporting & Analysis: Prepare and interpret sales reports to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.

• Category Reviews: Work with our sales agency to deliver insightful category reviews to drive growth and strengthen retailer partnerships.

• Promotional Planning: Collaborate with our sales agency to optimize promotional strategies.

• Market & Competitor Analysis: Monitor market dynamics and competitor activity to inform category strategies, as well as track NPD performance

• Supporting innovation plans with category and consumer insights

• Support go-to-market execution for new products and campaigns including trade marketing initiatives across key retail partners
  

What We Are Looking For

• A tertiary qualification in commerce or similar

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar Category manger or analyst role, preferably within FMCG

• Advanced Excel skills (preferably)

• Proven experience in FMCG category management.

• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and data interpretation.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Knowledge of retailer systems and category tools is a plus - Dunhumby, Quantium, Circana & Power BI
  

We’re looking for an experienced manager with confidence and a can-do attitude to join our close-knit team. As a small team in Ponsonby, we’re relaxed, supportive, and hard-working—and we’re looking for a new teammate to help us achieve big goals. If you’re not already a fan of our products, we can assure you that you soon will be!

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly wage

• Comprehensive training and ongoing support

• Opportunities for advancement

• Inclusive and supportive team culture

• Flexible scheduling options

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Barker’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.