At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth strategies and collaborate with retailers to enhance category performance.
- Company: Join Carlsberg Britvic, the UK's leading multi-beverage supplier with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical options, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: 12-month fixed-term contract with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of popular drinks and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in category marketing and a degree in Business or related field.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brooklyn to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic's brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy. With a strong national footprint, the Carlsberg Britvic business includes 5 production facilities and 15 logistics depots servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.
About the Role: The Off Trade in Carlsberg Britvic delivered over £1.4 billion net revenue in 2025 and yet we know there is more growth for us to enjoy as we come together as a total drinks powerhouse. As an integral part of Carlsberg Britvic's commercial growth engine, the Category Manager plays a pivotal role in translating strategy into execution. You'll act as the commercial lynchpin between customer-specific insight, brand opportunities, and in-outlet activation. By developing collaborative relationships with retailers and internal partners, you will lead the delivery of robust category plans, identify growth levers, and help shape customer agendas that elevate Carlsberg Britvic's brands and enhance our standing as a trusted partner to our customers. You will be working to deliver execution in outlet against our market maps and expectations for distribution, range, space and rate of sale driving propositions. This role is central to our planning and execution of commercial initiatives, therefore strong links will be required across the commercial functions, especially marketing, category strategy, insights, commercial operations and sales teams.
Customer Strategy & Vision
- Establish and nurture strategic relationships with key customer stakeholders, positioning Carlsberg Britvic as a trusted category authority.
- Leverage thought leadership to co-create impactful solutions that enhance category performance and drive measurable improvements in external evaluations, including the Advantage Group Survey.
- Lead the translation of consumer, shopper, and market trends into strategy, identifying where Carlsberg Britvic can drive category growth and gain competitive advantage.
- Set the direction and lead the team to align against the range and space targets and regularly measure progress against this, effectively managing messages through the business cycle.
Customer Thought Leadership & Execution
- Build strategic partnerships with key customer contacts, acting as the voice of the category and embedding Carlsberg Britvic's thought leadership and leading to delivery of solutions to influence external measure of category success with improved results in the Advantage Group Survey.
- Lead the execution of your customer/channel category roadmap through range reviews and identifying category initiatives to maximise point of purchase outcomes enabling us to maximise range, primary space, secondary location, availability and macro space, in outlet and online.
- Develop relevant category selling stories and tools and lead the development of customer immersions designed to engage customers and influence them to implement category solutions & strategies.
- Lead for and manage the delivery of category building initiatives and trials with customers e.g. fixturisation, cross category, category relays.
- Lead strategic agendas across hot topics such as health and wellness, sustainability, DRS (deposit return scheme) and HFSS (high fat salt sugar legislation) and provide the customer with a category point of view.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Help mentor Category Executives, supporting capability development.
- Support team culture grounded in collaboration, excellence, and performance.
- Champion continuous improvement and shared learning across the broader function.
- Put in place a development plan to improve your standards every day.
- Champion the power of category to other functions upskilling category capability and understanding to drive a greater impact.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Insights, Category Strategy, Sales, and Brand/Channel operations teams to ensure category thinking is embedded in brand planning and commercial execution.
- Lead inputs into business cases across NPD and EPD with account level information on category and customer marketing opportunities where required.
- Evaluate the impact of actions taken & ensure that learnings feed into future business planning.
- Represent category leadership on steering groups, channel forums, and leadership meetings.
Performance Tracking & Learning
- Set, track, and evaluate performance against space, range and distribution targets aligned to our range & merchandising blueprints.
- Translate insight from results into future‑facing planning recommendations and continuous improvement.
Budgets
- Manage the allocated category development budget against agreed customer data contracts and research projects.
- Complete and submit expenses in a timely manner.
Key Performance Measures
- Delivery of volume and value growth targets, agreed through AOP.
- Win market share through improved distribution, range and space gains.
- Improved results in the Advantage Group Survey.
- Improvement in perfect store measures.
- Improvement in employee engagement scores and positive feedback.
Experience & Qualifications
- Experience in category, customer marketing, or commercial roles within FMCG or similar sectors.
- Track record of working directly with customers, ideally with exposure to retail or grocery channels.
- Familiarity with space planning tools (e.g., "JDA") and customer insight platforms.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Business.
Job Details
- Job Length: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract (maternity leave)
- Working Hours: Monday - Friday
Benefits
- Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non‑alcoholic options available.
- Private Medical options.
- Life Assurance.
- Company bonus scheme.
- Access to 24/7 GP services.
- Enhanced pension contribution.
- Generous holiday (inc bank holidays).
- Access to a range of high street discounts.
Grocery Category Manager: Growth & Strategy employer: Carlsberg Britvic
Carlsberg Britvic is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee success and collaboration. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, employees benefit from mentorship opportunities, a generous benefits package including private medical options and a company bonus scheme, and the chance to work with iconic brands in a thriving industry. Located across the UK, the company fosters a supportive environment where innovation and strategic thinking are encouraged, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grocery Category Manager: Growth & Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Carlsberg Britvic and its brands. Understand their market position and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences align with the role of Grocery Category Manager. Highlight your ability to build relationships and drive category growth – that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Carlsberg Britvic. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Grocery Category Manager: Growth & Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Grocery Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant achievements that align with Carlsberg Britvic's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our growth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your skills can help drive category growth. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:As a Category Manager, you'll need strong analytical skills. In your application, include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions or strategies in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn insights into action!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Carlsberg Britvic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carlsberg Britvic
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into Carlsberg Britvic's portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their iconic beers and soft drinks, and think about how you can leverage these brands in your role as a Category Manager. Being able to discuss specific products and their market positioning will show your genuine interest and understanding of the company.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would translate consumer insights and market trends into actionable strategies. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully identified growth opportunities or improved category performance. This will demonstrate your ability to act as a commercial lynchpin, which is crucial for this role.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves establishing strategic partnerships with key customer stakeholders, be ready to talk about your experience in building and nurturing relationships. Share specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes, as this will highlight your capability in fostering trust and influence.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Understand the importance of working with various teams like marketing, sales, and insights. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively collaborated across functions in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methods you've used to ensure alignment and drive category success, as this will resonate well with the expectations of the position.
