At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth and execute strategies in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, a leader in the beverage industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, product allowance, private medical options, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a thriving company while developing your career in category management.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business or related field; some experience in FMCG or retail preferred.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Hemel Hempstead, GB
Entity / company: Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: 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
- Access to a range of high street discounts
About the Role
The Off Trade in Carlsberg Britvic will deliver 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 drink powerhouse. The Category Executive plays a vital role in translating category strategies into commercial execution. Working closely with the Senior Category Manager, 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. With a deep understanding of shopper behaviours and a collaborative mindset, you help deliver category growth for our customers, gain disproportionate advantage for our brands, and enhance Carlsberg Britvic’s standing as a trusted partner to our customers. 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the channels/customer category agenda ‘maximising today, and unlocking tomorrow’
- Contribute towards the strategy and development of our annual operating category plans to drive execution against our category vision and range & merchandising.
- Support in the translation of consumer, shopper, and market trends into strategy, identifying where Carlsberg Britvic can drive category growth and gain competitive advantage.
- Contribute to the category roadmap with customer‑specific insights and help prioritise tactical initiatives for maximum business impact.
- Champion the execution of space, range, distribution, and promotional tactics in outlet—ensuring consistency with our market maps and performance ambitions.
Customer Thought Leadership & Execution
- Build and maintain customer relationships 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.
- Support 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.
- Support the delivery of category building initiatives and trials with customers e.g. fixturisation, cross category, category relays.
- Support Category Managers with 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 Role & Capability Building
- 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
- Act as a key connector between Insights, Category Strategy, Sales, and Brand/Channel operations teams to deliver fully integrated category solutions.
- Supports Category Managers with 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.
Performance Tracking & Learning
- Support the development and delivery of range reviews and planograms.
- Track performance against agreed distribution, range, and space targets; and apply learnings to future planning.
- Support the translation of insights from results into future‑facing planning recommendations and continuous improvement.
Budgets
- 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.
- Improved employee engagement scores and positive feedback.
Experience Required
- Some experience in FMCG, retail, or category/insights roles.
- Exposure to the category management process and direct customer interaction is desirable.
- Working knowledge of space planning tools (e.g., JDA) and loyalty platforms advantageous.
Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Marketing, Economics, or related field.
Category Executive in Hemel Hempstead employer: Carlsberg Group
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is an exceptional employer located in Hemel Hempstead, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, extensive perks including a monthly product allowance, private medical options, and a robust pension scheme, all while being part of a dynamic team that drives category growth and innovation in the beverage industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Executive in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Category Executive role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand Carlsberg Britvic's market position and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their category growth. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Think about specific examples from your past that demonstrate your skills in category management and customer engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Executive in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Executive role. Highlight relevant experience in FMCG, retail, or category management, and don’t forget to showcase any direct customer interaction you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your skills align with our needs. Be sure to mention your understanding of shopper behaviours and how you can contribute to category growth.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to highlight your collaborative mindset. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to achieve common goals. We love a team player!
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 our awesome team at Carlsberg Britvic!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carlsberg Group
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the FMCG landscape, especially focusing on the beverage sector. Understand current trends, consumer behaviours, and how Carlsberg Britvic positions itself in the market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and insight during discussions.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
As a Category Executive, collaboration is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to connect insights from different departments and translate them into actionable strategies that drive category growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think of scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or adapt strategies based on market changes. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer-Centric Approach
Carlsberg Britvic values strong customer relationships. Prepare to discuss how you've built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in previous roles. Share specific examples of how your insights have influenced customer decisions and led to successful category initiatives.