Tell me about your experience managing product categories. How do you create a category development strategy? What sources would you look at to discover consumer trends? How do you determine category ranging? How do you handle supply chain issues that affect your category? Tell me about a time you helped boost sales for a product category. Recall a time you had to negotiate with a retailer. What was the result? How do you use PnL as a category manager? What internal teams should a category manager collaborate with and why? How do you measure the success of your category management?
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What sources would you look at to discover consumer trends Tell me about your experience managing product categories Tell me about a time you helped boost sales for a product category
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Novartis (Prague) in Aug 2023
Interview
Applied online and was declined as not matching the skill set. After a month I was headhunted by them saying I am a perfect candidate. I told them they declined me already but they confirmed it was a mistake and hiring manager would like to speak to me. 4 weeks later no reply. Feels like they do not really know what they want/need.
I applied through college or university. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Novartis (New York, NY) in Jun 2019
Interview
Interview with US head and the interview lasted for half an hour. Interview was followed by a call with multiple associates , who asked questions related to behavioral questions and ability to work cross functionally in a team based environment.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Leadership and Negotiation Example followed by quick check of Novartis Values. Focus on my communication and team skills. Interviewer tried to gauge my ability to work in a team based collaborative environment. How will you conduct a RFP?