Category Manager - Grocery Channel

Category Manager - Grocery Channel

Full-Time 42000 - 58000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive growth by turning data into impactful strategies for our grocery brands.
  • Company: Join FrieslandCampina, a company that values authenticity and diverse perspectives.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the grocery sector with your analytical skills and creativity.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in category management or related fields, with strong data interpretation skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.

Turn Insight Into Impact

Are you the kind of person who looks at numbers and sees possibilities? Who spots patterns others miss - and turns them into growth stories? At FrieslandCampina UK, we believe great ideas come from those who challenge the ordinary. As our next Category Manager - Grocery Channel, you will shape how our brands show up on shelves, in baskets, and in the minds of shoppers. This is your opportunity to drive real impact - using data, insight, and creativity to influence decisions that move markets. If you are commercially sharp, strategically minded, and ready to lead change, we want to hear from you.

What we ask:

  • 3+ years of commercial experience in category management, marketing, purchasing, or customer account management, ideally in FMCG or grocery.
  • Strong ability to interpret and translate data from multiple sources (e.g. Nielsen, Kantar, retailer EPOS) into clear, business-driving stories.
  • Experience supporting range reviews, promotional evaluations, and customer/channel strategy development.
  • Excellent presentation, communication, and influencing skills – confident at every level.
  • Solid grasp of ROI, budget management, and the commercial levers that drive growth.
  • Degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
  • Willingness to travel within the UK.

What we offer:

  • Salary: £50,000‑£55,000 (gross)
  • Bonus: Up to 12.5% annual performance bonus
  • Pension: Up to 13.7% employer contribution (age-dependent)
  • Private Healthcare: Optional BUPA coverage + Medicash
  • Life Assurance: 4x salary
  • Group Income Protection Scheme
  • 25 days holiday + 8 UK bank holidays
  • Birthday day off
  • "Summer Hours" & "Winter Wellness" time (2 hrs/week for personal wellbeing)
  • Early Friday finishes at 4 pm
  • £26/month work-from-home broadband allowance
  • Access to "Help at Hand" wellbeing support for you and your family

Vacancy description:

In this pivotal role, you will bridge data and direction, working closely with Sales and Marketing to guide the grocery strategy for our UK business. Develop and execute customer and channel strategies that deliver growth and visibility for our brands. Use category and shopper data to uncover actionable insights and shape business decisions. Partner with Sales and Customer Marketing to create compelling trade stories for new product launches and initiatives. Evaluate promotional effectiveness, track ROI, and recommend smarter ways to invest for impact. Manage dashboards, research projects, and performance tracking to inform strategy and execution. Collaborate across functions – from CCD and Sales to external agencies – ensuring commercial plans are built on strong shopper and market insight.

Your curiosity, analytical mindset, and ability to connect data with strategy will make you a trusted voice across the business.

Team Details

Who We Are: At FrieslandCampina, we’re driven by a simple belief – when you stay true to yourself, you unlock your best work. We celebrate diverse perspectives and encourage every employee to bring their authentic self to the table. If this role excites you, but you’re not sure you tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. Together, we’ll find where you can make the biggest difference.

About the Team: You’ll be part of the Customer & Category Development (CCD) team within the UK Commercial department. Reporting to the CCD Manager, you’ll work from our London Victoria office as part of the wider UK OpCo commercial team – shaping how FrieslandCampina delivers category excellence across the grocery channel.

Category Manager - Grocery Channel employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

At FrieslandCampina UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, where every employee is encouraged to challenge the ordinary and contribute to meaningful growth. As a Category Manager in our London Victoria office, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits including a performance bonus and extensive wellbeing support, and the opportunity to develop your career in a dynamic FMCG environment that values diversity and personal authenticity.
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Contact Detail:

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Grocery Channel

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Use data and insights from your past experiences to showcase how you've driven growth and made an impact. Remember, it’s all about turning numbers into compelling stories!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications with a friendly email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great way to ask if they need any more info from you.

✨Tip Number 4

Check out our website for the latest job openings. We’re always looking for talent that can turn insight into impact, just like you! Applying directly through our site gives you a better chance of standing out.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Grocery Channel

Category Management
Data Interpretation
Commercial Acumen
Marketing Strategy
Customer Account Management
Presentation Skills
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
ROI Analysis
Budget Management
Promotional Evaluation
Insight Generation
Collaboration
Analytical Mindset
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Numbers Game: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with data. We want to see how you've turned numbers into actionable insights in your previous roles. Use specific examples that showcase your analytical skills and how they’ve driven growth.

Craft Compelling Stories: Remember, it’s not just about the data; it’s about the story behind it! We love candidates who can translate complex information into clear, engaging narratives. Share instances where your insights influenced decisions or strategies in your past roles.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We appreciate when applicants show they understand what we’re looking for in a Category Manager.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to interpret data. Brush up on your knowledge of Nielsen and Kantar data, and be ready to discuss how you've turned insights into actionable strategies in the past.

✨Craft Your Growth Stories

Prepare to share specific examples of how you've influenced decisions that led to growth. Think about times when your insights shaped marketing strategies or improved product visibility on shelves.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since excellent presentation and influencing skills are key for this role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock presentations to friends or family to refine your delivery.

✨Understand the Commercial Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the commercial levers that drive growth in the FMCG sector. Be prepared to discuss budget management and ROI, and how these elements play a role in your strategic decision-making.

Category Manager - Grocery Channel
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
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