At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by turning data insights into impactful strategies for grocery brands.
- Company: FrieslandCampina UK, a company that values diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the grocery sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in category management or related fields with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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
- Wellbeing & Flexibility: 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 in London employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
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 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research FrieslandCampina's values, products, and recent news. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your knowledge and passion for the brand.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral – which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Category Manager. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Grocery Channel in London
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 demonstrate your ability to spot patterns and drive growth.
Craft Compelling Stories: Your application should tell a story about your journey in category management. We love candidates who can weave together their experiences in a way that showcases their strategic thinking and creativity. Don’t just list your skills; show us how you’ve used them to influence decisions.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application is tailored to the Category Manager role. We’re looking for someone who understands the grocery channel and can connect with our brand values. Use the job description as a guide to align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on 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 your previous roles.
✨Craft Your Growth Stories
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've driven growth in the grocery channel. Think about times when you supported range reviews or promotional evaluations, and be ready to explain the impact of your decisions.
✨Master Your Presentation Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock presentations with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and ensure you can influence at every level.
✨Show Your Curiosity
FrieslandCampina values curiosity and an analytical mindset. Be prepared to ask insightful questions during your interview that show your interest in their business and the grocery market. This will help you stand out as someone who is genuinely engaged and eager to contribute.