Category Manager - FMCG

Category Manager - FMCG

Full-Time 42000 - 58000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead category management to drive growth and partnerships with major grocery retailers.
  • Company: Join a leading FMCG manufacturer in London known for career progression and job satisfaction.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, healthcare, pension, and generous holiday leave.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in category management within the FMCG sector, with strong analytical and communication skills.
  • Other info: Ideal for proactive individuals eager to make an impact and thrive on challenges.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.

Location: West London

Salary: £50,000 + car allowance (wide range dependent on experience)

Our client is a leading FMCG manufacturer based in London who offer excellent career progression and job satisfaction. They are currently looking for a Category Manager.

The Category Management Team is viewed as key to the delivery of ambitious growth plans and to developing future growth plans. This role is critical in allowing the company to demonstrate their knowledge and leadership across their ambient & chilled categories and to drive the development of progressive & successful partnerships with the retailers.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

  • To enhance, progress and leverage Category relationships with major Grocery customers
  • To work ever more closely & collaboratively as a Category Adviser (or Challenger)
  • Deliver credible, insight led & actionable recommendations to support the growth of the category, customer & business within
  • To advise retailers through key decision making periods, effectively influencing range, space and distribution decisions
  • To ensure that a comprehensive category approach is taken in consideration of both brand and retailer brand
  • To work in collaboration with Marketing to:
  • Provide the external perspective the business on the consumer, shopper, retailer and competitor landscape for the categories, developing relevant knowledge
  • Identify key questions & challenges for the category or business
  • Identifying gaps & opportunities
  • Support the development of consumer/shopper & category centric NPD & initiatives
  • Develop compelling sell in stories
  • To be the voice of the shopper both internally & externally
  • Work with the Head of Category & Senior Category Manager to develop and embed category visions, drivers and strategies both internally & externally
  • Candidate Profile:

    The successful candidate will have the energy and ambition to make a significant contribution to the future success of the business. They will thrive in fast paced, action orientated environments and relish new challenges, managing multiple priorities and working collaboratively with their colleagues to deliver a shared goal.

    Background:

    • FMCG background, preferably in UK market
    • A proven category manager with minimum 3 years’ experience

    Skills:

    • Knowledgeable in category management principles
    • Commercially aware
    • Exceptional communication and influencing skills
    • Ability to make insight simple, actionable & compelling
    • Excellent analytical thinking, attention to detail and interpretation of data
    • Ability to work under pressure whilst being highly organised and efficient
    • Able to manage short term deliverables in parallel to developing long term strategic thinking
    • Able build positive internal & external collaborative working relationships
    • Working knowledge of Circana/Nielsen, Kantar & Dunnhumby
    • Advanced MS Office

    Personality:

    • A ‘can do’ attitude, happy to ‘roll up’ their sleeves
    • Dynamic and creative with analytical integrity
    • Forward thinking and proactive
    • Has a natural curiosity to look beyond the brief & beyond the data, asking why?
    • Happy to have an opinion, to challenge and to be challenged

    Company Package:

    • Market Leader in their products and sector
    • £30,000
    • Health care single cover
    • Permanent Health Insurance
    • Company pension contribution
    • 25 days holiday + Bank holidays
    • Company sick pay
    • 4 x Death in Service

    If you would like to apply for this role, please send an up to date copy of your CV to Kate Evans as soon as possible quoting reference GP292.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Category Manager - FMCG employer: Planet CIC

    As a leading FMCG manufacturer based in West London, our client offers an exceptional work environment that prioritises career progression and job satisfaction. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and personal growth, alongside a competitive salary package that includes a car allowance, comprehensive health care, and generous holiday entitlement. This role not only provides the opportunity to influence key business decisions but also fosters a dynamic atmosphere where your contributions are valued and recognised.
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    Contact Detail:

    Planet CIC Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Category Manager - FMCG

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the FMCG sector, especially within the UK market. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the industry.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Network with professionals in the FMCG field, particularly those who have experience in category management. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to valuable insights and potential referrals.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully influenced category decisions in previous roles. Highlight your analytical skills and ability to turn insights into actionable strategies, as these are key competencies for the role.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Showcase your collaborative spirit by thinking of ways you can work with marketing and other departments to drive category growth. Be ready to share ideas on how to develop compelling sell-in stories that resonate with both retailers and consumers.

    We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - FMCG

    Category Management Principles
    Commercial Awareness
    Exceptional Communication Skills
    Influencing Skills
    Analytical Thinking
    Attention to Detail
    Data Interpretation
    Organisational Skills
    Strategic Thinking
    Collaboration Skills
    Knowledge of Circana/Nielsen, Kantar & Dunnhumby
    Advanced MS Office Proficiency
    Ability to Work Under Pressure
    Insight Generation
    Proactive Problem-Solving

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in FMCG and category management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to enhance relationships with grocery customers and deliver actionable insights.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the FMCG industry. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience in collaborating with marketing and advising retailers.

    Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your exceptional communication and influencing skills, as well as your analytical thinking abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities and built collaborative relationships in previous roles.

    Showcase Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of category management principles and tools like Circana/Nielsen, Kantar, and Dunnhumby. Mention any relevant projects or initiatives where you applied this knowledge to drive growth.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Planet CIC

    ✨Showcase Your FMCG Knowledge

    Make sure to demonstrate your understanding of the FMCG sector, particularly in the UK market. Be prepared to discuss recent trends and how they might impact category management.

    ✨Prepare Insightful Recommendations

    Think about actionable insights you can provide during the interview. Consider how you would advise retailers on range, space, and distribution decisions based on data analysis.

    ✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills

    Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with marketing and other teams. Share examples of how you've successfully built relationships and influenced decisions in previous roles.

    ✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking

    Be ready to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive category growth. Prepare to explain how you interpret data and turn it into compelling narratives for stakeholders.

    Category Manager - FMCG
    Planet CIC
    P
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