At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and build relationships with top UK grocery retailers.
- Company: Join a fast-growing FMCG business passionate about innovation and redefining retail categories.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a competitive salary, bonuses, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping strategies and enhancing retailer relationships in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years in category management, strong data skills, and excellent presentation abilities required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with leading brands and drive significant growth in the FMCG sector.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're working with a fast-growth, FMCG business that's redefining their category approach across grocery retail. With national distribution and a passion for innovation, they're seeking a Category Manager to turn data into direction and insight into impact. This is a brilliant opportunity to embed yourself at the heart of a dynamic commercial team, working hand-in-hand with leading UK retailers to deliver smarter strategies, sharper ranges, and stronger performance.
The Role: You'll own the category agenda for key UK Grocery customers, building high-impact relationships and bringing clarity to complexity through data-driven storytelling.
What you'll do:
- Lead category strategy across top retail accounts, driving range optimisation and distribution expansion.
- Shape compelling category narratives that influence customer decisions.
- Own the insight agenda - leveraging IRI, Kantar, Nielsen, shopper research, and EPOS to uncover growth opportunities.
- Present confidently at senior-level retailer meetings, brand planning sessions, and strategy reviews.
- Support internal commercial teams with robust rationale for NPD and trade execution.
What you'll bring:
- 2-3 years' experience in category management within FMCG.
- Exceptional data fluency and the ability to translate insight into clear, commercial actions.
- Proven track record of influencing internal stakeholders and building retailer trust.
- Strong presentation skills, confident working with both qualitative and quantitative insights.
- Advanced Excel skills and a knack for making data feel human and accessible.
Why this role? You'll join a business investing in its people, products, and partnerships - where your impact won't just be seen in the numbers, but in stronger retailer relationships and greater shelf presence.
Location: Hertfordshire (Hybrid working)
Package: £45,000 + Bonus + Benefits (Some flexibility on salary dependant on experience)
Category Manager - FMCG Food employer: Allexo Search
Contact Detail:
Allexo Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - FMCG Food
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in FMCG and grocery retail. Understanding current market dynamics will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the category strategy during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who work in category management. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your data fluency by practising how to present insights clearly and compellingly. Use examples from your past experience where you've turned data into actionable strategies, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific retailers you'll be working with and understand their unique challenges and opportunities. Tailoring your approach to demonstrate how you can build strong relationships with these retailers will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - FMCG Food
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Category Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your 2-3 years of experience in category management within FMCG. Use specific examples that demonstrate your data fluency and ability to influence stakeholders, showcasing your achievements in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that tells a story about your career journey. Explain why you are passionate about this role and how you can contribute to the company's growth through data-driven insights and strong relationships.
Prepare for Interviews: If selected for an interview, prepare to discuss your approach to category strategy and how you've used data to drive decisions. Be ready to present examples of your work and how you've influenced retailer relationships in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Allexo Search
✨Know Your Data
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional data fluency. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data from sources like IRI, Kantar, or Nielsen in your previous roles. Bring examples of how you turned insights into actionable strategies.
✨Craft Your Story
You'll be shaping compelling narratives that influence customer decisions. Think about how you can present your past experiences as stories that highlight your ability to simplify complex data and drive results. Practice telling these stories clearly and confidently.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires building high-impact relationships with key UK Grocery customers. Prepare to discuss your approach to relationship management and provide examples of how you've successfully influenced internal stakeholders and built trust with retailers.
✨Showcase Your Presentation Skills
Strong presentation skills are crucial for this position. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to present both qualitative and quantitative insights effectively. Consider preparing a mini-presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your skills during the interview.