At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to drive category growth in the beverage sector.
- Company: Join Carlsberg Britvic, the UK's largest multi-beverage supplier with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical options, generous holidays, and a monthly product allowance.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey to transform the beverage category and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive FMCG experience and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: Hemel Hempstead – Hybrid
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: Monday – Friday (full time)
Competitive Salary with extensive 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
About the Role
The Head of Category role will be responsible for inspiring and leading their team on the next phase of our ambitious category growth journey across our beer and softs portfolio. We are looking for thought leaders, inspirers with a growth mindset who are adept at looking for new, transformational growth opportunities with our retail partners and who have the experience and expertise to inspire their team, their commercial colleagues and our customers, to deliver on these breakthrough opportunities. This role is central to the execution of our category strategy and the planning and delivery of our annual operating plan (AOP), therefore strong links will be required across the category strategy, marketing, commercial growth and sales teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic thinking
- Identify the key strategic transformational opportunities for your channel and lead your team to deliver on them
- Be an advocate/leader for our category strategy called “thirsty for growth”, inspiring both your customers and your team to partner with Carlsberg Britvic on our recommendations on how to deliver category growth
- Support the commercial team in the deployment of our value realisation strategy, building category selling stories where appropriate
- Lead the development of the Category AOP strategy and team delivery of customer roadmaps, ensure the team are ruthlessly focused on delivery
- In-year delivery – Internal
- Lead or support on the delivery of Carlsberg Britvic’s commercial planning processes; AOP development & target setting and performance cycle process
- Lead the execution of the category plan; develop and execute strategies to maximise macro space, range, primary fixture & secondary space, merchandising principles, availability and FTG opportunities in line with Perfect Store visions
- Support the development of Gate 2/3 business cases with customer level information on category opportunities drive for execution from Gate 3/4 onwards
- Own or support the measurement of our category outcomes at both channel & customer level; monitor, track and feedback on progress building course correct plans where required
- Communicate and share insight & best practice on category, shopper and customer, ensuring an outside-in lens to how we make decisions
- Support evaluation of key initiatives to ensure that learnings feed into future planning & activation across the channel
- In-year delivery – External with customers
- Lead a culture where Carlsberg Britvic is recognised as the indispensable category partner of choice
- Engage & inspire key external stakeholders on the strategic growth platforms and segment visions and support team to build and deliver a customer partnership agenda (delivering best in class AGS results)
- Execute inspiring category growth plans across the full customer estate; Superstores, Convenience, Online, Q Commerce, FTG
- Champion customer specific data, especially loyalty data where this exists, to add value to strategy and initiative development
- Lead the team to deliver on high impact category growth days with customers, setting a solid foundation for our Carlsberg Britvic commercial plans
- People management
- Set clear performance management objectives for team aligned to business objectives
- Lead & coach team members, ensuring development plans are in place to drive great performance
- Raise the capability of the category team with respect to their understanding and usage of category vision and tools
- Ensure succession plans are in place for team members
Experience Required
- Extensive FMCG experience
- Experience of working with and demonstrable success with a range of off trade customers
- Practical experience of category management process & first-hand experience of managing strategic customer relationships
- Strategic thinker able to develop clear vision for the category within the channel / customer
- Demonstrable capability of applying category management thinking
- Strong commercial skills across a range of channels/companies
- Strong communicator (written & presented) with good facilitation skills
- Basic understanding of the latest shopper / market insight techniques
- Strong people management & coaching skills, able to unlock the best in others
Our commitment to diversity equity & inclusion
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences - including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do. We are happy to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please do let us know if you require adjustments during the recruitment process.
This is an exciting time to join our newly formed business – with their incredible individual histories, innovation of products and some of the UK’s most iconic brands, Carlsberg Britvic strives to deliver the best service to our customers and consumers. We aim to make a difference, bringing together two diverse companies, our global reach enables opportunity, growth and a chance to work with some fantastic people.
Head of Category - Managed Convenience (Off Trade) employer: Carlsberg Britvic
At our Northampton Brewery, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the well-being and growth of our employees. With a competitive salary and extensive benefits including a monthly product allowance, life assurance, and enhanced pension contributions, we foster a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and continuous improvement. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every team member feels valued, while ample opportunities for professional development make this a rewarding place to build your career as a Multi Skilled Engineer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category - Managed Convenience (Off Trade)
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Carlsberg Britvic and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Carlsberg Britvic are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Carlsberg Britvic on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Carlsberg Britvic. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category - Managed Convenience (Off Trade)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Carlsberg Britvic. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Carlsberg Britvic:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Carlsberg Britvic’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carlsberg Britvic
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Carlsberg Britvic will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Carlsberg Britvic, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
