At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category insights and partnerships with major retailers like Aldi and Lidl.
- Company: Join Nestlé Cereal Partners, a leader in the FMCG sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping category strategies and influencing key retailers.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG insights and strong data analysis skills required.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Welwyn Garden City – Hybrid working
Salary: £43,000 to £48,000 dependent upon experience
Business Area: Nestlé Cereal Partners
Some of our other fantastic benefits: Potential, discretionary bonus; Generous pension scheme; 12 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement; 2 paid volunteering days; A focus on personal development and growth.
Note: This is a full-time permanent opportunity. Flexibility is welcome and can be discussed during the application process.
Your impact
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Develop long term sustainable category partnerships with key retailers in our Developing Channels area of the business which includes Discounters, Convenience & Wholesale. The priority will be Aldi, Lidl & Coop but may go wider in these channels depending on the request.
- Design and execute an annual insight plan, demonstrating category thought leadership, expertise in knowing and understanding the shopper, and highlighting short-term & long-term growth opportunities.
- Set up and maintain regular meetings with the buyer to progress the category plan.
- Proactively manage customer range reviews, merchandising changes, store trials and ad-hoc projects providing fact-based recommendations and solutions, ensuring all key customer deadlines are met.
- Champion our Category and Shopper Vision as a framework for long-term growth, tailoring where possible to increase customer relevance & understanding. Work alongside the Shopper team to then provide actionable recommendations for activation or trial.
- Produce advanced data analysis from multiple data sources to provide relevant reports, category updates and trend updates.
- Participate in shopper research projects as and when required.
- Be a data expert – interrogating all available data resources which may include KANTAR / CIRCANA / IGD / DUNNHUMBY / NECTAR / MINTEL to generate insight and champion data usage across the business.
- Contribute to the annual category planning process, and work with the Category Development Manager to drive strategic direction for your retailers and ensuring the category growth agenda is always top of mind.
- Be the shopper expert providing insight and the shoppers point of view to Sales, Marketing & the Shopper Activation team.
- Actively provide consultant advice and support to the Sales & Marketing teams to highlight distribution, range and promotional strategy opportunities for Cereal Partners in your customers / channels.
Requirements
Your ingredients for success:
- You’ll have a breadth of category insights experience within FMCG and have a proven track record in being a data expert. Ideally, you’ll have worked across different retailer multiple accounts and/or different channels.
- Experience of interrogating data sources such as Kantar, Circana, Dunnhumby or Nectar to generate insight and champion data usage across the business is essential.
- Have excellent attention to detail.
- Be highly numerate and analytical with prior working knowledge of category sales data.
- Extracting insight from data sources is key; be able to craft and relay the story with clear insights, opportunities and actions.
- Work on own initiative and as part of a wide cross-functional team.
- Aptitude for IT skills, strong in Excel and PowerPoint; experience in space planning systems is advantageous.
- Be comfortable in front of customers and influence them by presenting with expertise on the category.
What You Need To Know
Advert posting date: 30/04/2026
Advert closing date: 14/05/2026
We will consider candidates as they apply and may close the advertisement early if we receive sufficient applicants. Please submit your application promptly.
At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure full participation in the application process.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and have been recognised for gender equality and inclusion initiatives.
Category Insights Manager employer: Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills)
Contact Detail:
Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Insights Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Nestlé or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they’re really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your data storytelling skills. You’ll need to showcase how you can turn numbers into actionable insights, so get comfy with your past experiences and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your application through our website. A quick email or message can show your enthusiasm and keep you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your analytical skills during interviews. Bring examples of how you’ve used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a data expert!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Insights Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Insights Manager role. Highlight your experience with FMCG and data analysis, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise in category insights.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your experience with retailers like Aldi and Lidl, and how you can contribute to our growth.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since being a data expert is key for this position, make sure to highlight your proficiency with tools like Kantar and Dunnhumby. Provide examples of how you've used data to drive insights and decisions in previous roles.
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills)
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Category Insights Manager, you'll need to be a data expert. Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of data sources like Kantar and Dunnhumby. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools to extract insights and drive category growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Think of specific examples where you've turned complex data into actionable insights. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your attention to detail.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the key retailers mentioned in the job description, such as Aldi, Lidl, and Coop. Research their current strategies and market positions. This will help you speak confidently about how you can develop sustainable partnerships and contribute to their growth.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be presenting insights to customers, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare a mini-presentation on a relevant topic, showcasing your ability to relay insights effectively. This will demonstrate your comfort in front of clients and your expertise in the category.