About the Role
Essity is seeking an impact–driven Category Vice President to lead our global
Fem Care and Baby categories. This role is part of our Global Marketing and Innovation (GMI) organization and is responsible for driving category strategy, managing the strategic plan for innovation and product development, brand management, and sustainability initiatives.
You will lead a high-performing international team and collaborate closely with Business Units, R&D, and Global Supply Chain to deliver long-term profitability and purpose-driven growth. The position reports to the President of GMI and is part of the GMI leadership team.
This role is preferably based in Munich or Gothenburg.
What You Will Do
1. Category Strategy & Innovation: Lead the Global Category strategy and innovation portfolio for Fem Care and Baby categories to meet global business objectives.
2. Brand Building: Lead brand building and communication development, including positioning, design, advertising and trademarks, strategic media and communication development across multi-country portfolios.
3. Innovation Strategy and execution: Own product and service innovation portfolio across the Baby and Feminine Care categories, ensuring Essity has superior products and wins in market.
4. Consumer Insights: Leverage market research to identify growth opportunities and guide product design and development.
5. Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Business Units, Marketing functions, R&D, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless execution.
6. Investment Leadership: Manage CAPEX and strategic investments for new product development and upgrades.
7. Team Leadership: Inspire and develop big teams including Directors, fostering a culture of innovation, performance and excellence.
Who You Are
8. University degree (Bachelor’s required, master’s preferred) in Marketing or Business Administration
9. +15 years’ experience in global marketing, product innovation, brand management, and commercial leadership within FMCG, especially in capital-intensive environments where innovation has played a central role.
10. Extensive international experience, both in Marketing and Leadership successfully managing regional/global teams.
11. Proven expertise in launching global product innovations and managing multi-country brand portfolios.
12. Strong commercial experience and business acumen, with P&L ownership.
13. Deep understanding of cost drivers in production, given the close interface with business and manufacturing.
14. Strong understanding of how operational decisions directly influence the balance sheet, making you a strategic contributor to business performance.
15. Experienced leader in building and driving high-performing international and cross-functional teams.
16. Collaborative, visionary, and inclusive leader with excellent stakeholder management in complex matrix organization.
17. Proven communication skills to be able to influence key BU stakeholders to move forward the category actions and deliver plans aligned with growth objectives.
18. Demonstrated ability to drive strategic initiatives that deliver measurable business results and inspire teams with a compelling vision.
19. Proven ability to proactively drive positive and transformational changes within an organization.
20. Hands-on, decisive, and passionate about products and business growth. Eager to make things happen and challenge the status quo.
21. Willingness to travel regularly.
22. Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus
What We Can Offer You
Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere. Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You with Us