Category Manager

Category Manager

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Australian Vintage

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive category strategies and insights for a leading global wine business.
  • Company: Join Australian Vintage, a certified B Corporation with iconic brands.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 26 weeks parental leave, and mental health support.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent growth opportunities and a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a values-driven company while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Competitive benefits with real flexibility, including 26 weeks paid primary carer parental leave, Birthday Leave, Volunteer Days, and more!

About AV:

Australian Vintage (AV) is an ASX-listed company and the proud owner of the multi-award-winning McGuigan, Tempus Two, Nepenthe, and Barossa Valley Wine Company brands. Leveraging our world-class assets and innovative expertise, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional results. As a certified B Corporation, Australian Vintage is committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet through continuous improvement and by using business as a force for good. We have set an ambitious Net Zero 2040 emissions target, are powered by renewable energy, and ensure all our owned and operated vineyards and wineries are certified under Sustainable Wine guidelines. We support our people to make an impact where they live through paid volunteer days and are proud to be recognised as an accredited Mental Health First Aid workplace by Mental Health First Aid Australia as of January 2023.

About the role:

We are looking for a commercially minded Category Manager to join our UK team, based in our London Bridge office. In this role, you will own end-to-end category management across the UK, Ireland and Europe, turning data, shopper and market insights into clear, retailer-focused strategies that drive sustainable growth for both Australian Vintage and our retail partners. You will act as a trusted advisor to our customers, shaping category direction and influencing key decisions across range, space, pricing and merchandising. It is a highly visible role where you will partner closely with Sales, Marketing and key retailers to bring insight‑led thinking to life. We operate a hybrid working model, with 3 days in office / 2 days from home split, giving you the flexibility to balance collaboration and focus.

What you’ll do:

  • Own and deliver insight‑led category strategies aligned to shopper needs and retailer priorities
  • Lead end-to-end category reviews, identifying opportunities to optimise range, space, pricing and merchandising
  • Turn complex data into clear, commercially impactful insights and compelling retailer-facing narratives
  • Work across multiple data sources (e.g. NIQ, WPO, Dunnhumby, SIP) to build a strong, fact-based view of performance
  • Spot trends, risks and opportunities across the category and wider market
  • Build strong relationships with key retail customers, positioning yourself as a trusted category advisor
  • Influence retailer decision‑making through confident, data‑led recommendations
  • Partner with Sales, Marketing and Supply Chain to deliver aligned, high‑impact category plans
  • Champion the voice of the shopper, ensuring insight shapes innovation and long-term strategy

What you’ll bring:

  • Experience in a category, insights or commercial role, ideally within FMCG or retail
  • Strong analytical capability, with experience working with industry data sources (e.g. NIQ, Kantar, retailer platforms)
  • Ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights that drive commercial outcomes
  • Experience working with major UK retailers (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons)
  • Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint and the Microsoft Office suite
  • Experience using Power BI or similar tools
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility
  • A commercial mindset, with a strong understanding of shopper and market dynamics
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work at pace

What we offer:

  • Primary carer parental leave offering 26 weeks paid leave
  • Loyalty leave
  • Work from Anywhere benefit, offering flexibility to work remotely
  • Birthday leave
  • Further education and study support
  • Mental health and wellbeing training and support
  • Options to purchase additional annual leave
  • Sabbaticals and career breaks
  • Continuation of superannuation while on paid and unpaid parental leave

If you enjoy working close to the commercial action, using numbers to influence decisions, and partnering with Sales and Marketing in a values‑led, global wine business, we would love to hear from you.

Category Manager employer: Australian Vintage

Australian Vintage is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being. With competitive benefits such as 26 weeks of paid parental leave, volunteer days, and a commitment to mental health support, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the heart of London Bridge, the role of Category Manager provides a unique opportunity to influence key retail strategies within a globally recognised wine business dedicated to sustainability and positive impact.
Australian Vintage

Contact Detail:

Australian Vintage Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Category Manager role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Australian Vintage and its brands. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your insights can drive growth. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their business.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your data storytelling skills! Be ready to explain complex insights in a way that’s easy to understand. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can turn numbers into actionable strategies for retailers.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Australian Vintage team.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager

Category Management
Data Analysis
Retail Strategy Development
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
Excel
PowerPoint
Microsoft Office Suite
Power BI
Insight Generation
Market Analysis
Relationship Building
Influencing Skills
FMCG Experience
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant data analysis skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the wine industry and how you can contribute to our mission at Australian Vintage. Keep it engaging and personal!

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves turning complex data into actionable insights, make sure to highlight your analytical capabilities. Share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles – we love a good success story!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Australian Vintage

✨Know Your Data Inside Out

As a Category Manager, you'll be expected to turn complex data into actionable insights. Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive commercial outcomes. Familiarise yourself with industry data sources like NIQ and Kantar, as these will likely come up in conversation.

✨Understand the Retail Landscape

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the UK retail market, especially major players like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Research their current strategies and challenges, and think about how you can position Australian Vintage's brands within that context. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and well-informed.

✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

This role requires strong relationship-building abilities. Prepare examples of how you've influenced key decisions in previous positions. Think about times when you’ve collaborated with sales or marketing teams to achieve a common goal, and be ready to share those stories during the interview.

✨Emphasise Your Commercial Mindset

Australian Vintage is looking for someone who understands shopper and market dynamics. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified trends and opportunities in the past. Highlight any experience you have in developing category strategies that align with shopper needs and retailer priorities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Category Manager
Australian Vintage
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