At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape category strategy and drive growth through data analysis and relationship building.
- Company: Join a premium food brand making waves in the FMCG sector with exciting growth potential.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with 3 days in the office and perks of a dynamic work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of an entrepreneurial team that values your insights and makes a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and excellent presentation abilities required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with marketing and commercial teams on innovative projects.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire (3 days in the office, the rest working from home)
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Category Executive looking for a step up or a Category Manager seeking a fresh challenge in a dynamic and growing environment. We’re recruiting for a premium food brand that’s making waves in the FMCG sector. With listings in major retailers, as well as a strong presence in independents and farm shops, this brand is poised for significant growth. The business is expanding into exciting new categories and looking for a talented Category Manager to join their team.
The Role:
- As the Category Manager, you’ll report to the Category Development Director and play a pivotal role in delivering actionable insights to unlock growth for both the business and its retail partners.
- This role offers the chance to shape category strategy, build strong relationships with buyers, and be part of an entrepreneurial team with a real impact.
- You’ll work closely with commercial managers, marketing, and cross-functional teams to become the go-to expert on the category.
- From analysing shopper and market data to shaping promotional and ranging strategies, you’ll be at the heart of driving category performance and growth.
- Build strong, advisory relationships with key buyers, becoming a trusted category expert.
- Deliver regular category updates and proactively analyse performance, providing insights and challenging perspectives.
- Identify risks and opportunities in distribution, sales, and promotional strategies, offering robust recommendations.
- Support NPD initiatives and contribute to developing the top-line category vision for customers.
- Stay ahead of market trends and use historical data to provide actionable recommendations that support business growth.
- Lead analysis and deliver insights to marketing and commercial teams on pricing, promotions, events, and NPD/EPD.
You:
- Confident with data analysis, you go beyond the numbers to tell the story and highlight opportunities.
- Excellent presentation and relationship-building skills, particularly with buyers and merchandising teams.
- Proactive, outcome-focused, and able to prioritize in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
- Experience in FMCG, ideally within Category Management or Insights (client or agency side).
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in tools like Excel.
Category Manager employer: Better placed recruitment
Contact Detail:
Better placed recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience in category management. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific brand and its product offerings. Understanding their market position and recent developments will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to drive category performance and make strategic recommendations in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your relationship-building skills by preparing to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with buyers and cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to influence and drive results.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management and FMCG. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to build relationships with buyers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the food industry and your understanding of market trends. Mention how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities of the Category Manager role.
Highlight Data Analysis Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in data analysis tools, particularly Excel. Provide examples of how you've used data to drive insights and make recommendations in past roles.
Showcase Relationship-Building Abilities: In your application, illustrate your experience in building strong relationships with key stakeholders, especially buyers. Share specific instances where your relationship-building skills led to successful outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Better placed recruitment
✨Know Your Data
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your confidence with data analysis. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to tell a story and identify opportunities in previous roles. Bring examples of your analytical work to the interview.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in building strong relationships with buyers and merchandising teams. Prepare to share specific instances where your relationship-building skills led to successful outcomes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Stay Ahead of Trends
Research current market trends in the FMCG sector and be ready to discuss how these trends could impact the category you would manage. Showing that you are proactive and knowledgeable about the industry will impress your interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully identified risks and opportunities, and be ready to explain your thought process.