At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a brand/category, driving its performance and success.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on brand growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of brand strategy and see your ideas come to life.
- Qualifications: Experience in brand management and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Are you ready to take full ownership of a brand or category and unlock its full potential? We are looking for an ambitious, commercially astute Brand/Category Manager to lead a thriving portfolio and play a pivotal role in shaping its future. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker who is as comfortable crafting long-term vision as they are rolling up their sleeves and executing with precision. You will be the driving force behind brand performance, trusted by senior stakeholders, and recognised as the go-to expert for your brands across the entire organisation.
What You Will Lead & Deliver - Category Manager
- Brand Ownership & Strategy
- Take full leadership of an assigned brand/category - owning its performance, direction, and long-term success.
- Translate global brand strategy into UK-relevant plans, or build entirely new brand strategies when required.
- Lead the successful integration of new brands into the business, ensuring seamless onboarding and rapid commercial traction.
- Commercial Impact & P&L Accountability
- Drive brand profitability, identifying opportunities to grow revenue, margin, and market share.
- Manage full P&L responsibilities, producing clear, insight-driven monthly reporting.
- Lead commercial negotiations with brand partners, securing strong commercial terms and exceeding profit thresholds wherever possible.
- Stakeholder Leadership & Partnership Building
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with brand partners, fostering shared success and long-term partnership.
- Serve as the internal expert and advocate for your brand/category, empowering colleagues with the information and insight they need to deliver.
- Work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, operations and leadership teams to ensure alignment, clarity and momentum.
- Market Insight & Strategic Thinking
- Conduct market analysis, category reviews and competitor benchmarking to identify opportunities, threats and emerging trends.
- Use insights to shape pricing, promotions, positioning and investment decisions that optimise commercial returns.
- Sales, Channel & Distribution Strategy
- Define and implement a winning distribution strategy that supports brand growth across all retail and ecommerce channels.
- Partner with sales teams to craft compelling brand and product presentations that maximise listing opportunities.
- Develop cohesive pricing and promotional frameworks for all channels, continually refining them to drive best-in-class results.
- Marketing & NPD Excellence
- Work hand-in-hand with marketing teams to deliver campaigns and activations that support brand strategy and deliver measurable ROI.
- Lead the creation and delivery of successful NPD (New Product Development) launch strategies, ensuring every product lands with maximum impact and clarity.
What You Will Bring - Category Manager
- A commercial mindset with experience managing brand or category performance.
- Confidence in leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data and insight into actionable strategies.
- A strategic thinker who can also execute with precision and pace.
- A collaborative approach, with the ability to build deep, productive partnerships internally and externally.
- A passion for brand building, market dynamics and product success.
Why This Role Matters
In this position, you will not just manage a brand - you will shape its future. You will see the direct impact of your ideas, strategies and negotiation skills on the growth of your category and the wider business. This is a role for someone who wants to be at the heart of commercial decision-making, who thrives on ownership, and who is driven by making brands succeed.
Category Manager - Cambridgeshire employer: Brand Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Brand Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Cambridgeshire
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and donβt be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their brand strategy and market position. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that youβre genuinely interested in the role and ready to hit the ground running.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role of Category Manager. Highlight your commercial mindset and strategic thinking skills, and donβt forget to showcase your passion for brand building.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the skills and experiences that match the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Cambridgeshire
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for brand management! In your application, share why you're excited about the role and how your passion aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. A genuine interest can really make you stand out.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing brands or categories, and demonstrate how your skills can drive commercial success. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to what we do!
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of analytical thinking, donβt shy away from showcasing your ability to turn data into actionable insights. Include examples of how you've used market analysis or P&L management to achieve results in your previous roles.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate professionalism, we also want to get a sense of who you are. Use a friendly tone in your writing, and donβt hesitate to inject a bit of your personality into your application. Remember, weβre looking for someone who can build strong relationships!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brand Recruitment
β¨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the brand or category you'll be managing. Understand its history, current market position, and competitors. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive its performance.
β¨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully developed and executed brand strategies. Be ready to explain how you translated insights into actionable plans that led to measurable results. This will demonstrate your ability to think strategically while executing with precision.
β¨Build Relationships in the Room
Remember, this role is all about partnership building. During the interview, engage with your interviewers as if they were your stakeholders. Ask insightful questions and show genuine interest in their perspectives. This will highlight your collaborative approach and ability to foster trust-based relationships.
β¨Be Data-Driven
Since strong analytical skills are crucial for this role, come prepared with data-driven examples from your past experiences. Discuss how you've used market analysis and insights to shape pricing, promotions, and product positioning. This will showcase your commercial mindset and ability to turn data into actionable strategies.