At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a major food category, influencing retail strategies and shopper experiences.
- Company: Join a leading FMCG player known for iconic brands and innovative market strategies.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexibility, plus opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on shopper behaviour while gaining insights across the business.
- Qualifications: Strong FMCG category experience and familiarity with major UK retailers are essential.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to step up and take ownership in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
You’ve nailed the fundamentals. You know how to build a compelling story from data, shape range and promotion plans, and influence key retail partners. You’ve sat across the table with buyers, challenged assumptions, backed your insight, and delivered results. Now you’re looking for more.
A bigger remit.
More ownership.
A chance to step up.
This role Category Manager is the step you’re looking for, perfect for those who’ve got one eye on a senior role.
Take charge of one of the UK’s most iconic food categories, working on a brand that shoppers recognise instantly.
The role is about shaping the moments that matter. Like when a time-pressed shopper walks into store, heads straight to your product, and finds exactly what they’re looking for, right where it should be. That moment doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of smart thinking on range, layout, pricing and promotions. Someone saw the opportunity, read the data, and made the right call.
That someone could be you.
You’ll get under the skin of the shopper. Spot gaps in the market. Influence what comes off shelf and ,more importantly, what lands next. You’ll shape merchandising strategy, trial new layouts, manage store tests, and feed into retail rollouts so that what happens in store reflects real shopper behaviour, not assumptions. You’ve walked shop floors. You’ve seen what works and you’ll use that instinct to make a difference.
Take full ownership of promotional planning recommending mechanics, tracking effectiveness, and learning from the results.
You’ll dive deep into shopper insight too – using tools like Dunnhumby, Retail Link, retailer EPOS and Kantar to understand what’s going on in the category and why. Turn that insight into a story people act on – whether they’re in sales, marketing, or at the retailer end.
This role will connect you with every part of the business. Learn to collaborate closely with teams across sales, supply chain, brand, and NPD. It’s a proper seat at the table and a chance to see how a major FMCG player works at every level.
To thrive here, you’ll already have strong FMCG category experience and you’ll have worked directly with major UK retailers. You’ll understand what drives great category performance – from tail management and range reviews to segmentation and shopper behaviour. Most importantly, you’ll be commercially sharp and know how to balance growth with margin and cost.
The role is hybrid, mostly home-based with regular customer visits and some time at the East Midlands site, so being within a sensible distance would be helpful.
If you’re ready to take the lead on a major category and want a role that blends commercial impact with real strategic influence… this could be the one.
Category Manager employer: Consumer Hub
Contact Detail:
Consumer Hub Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the FMCG sector, especially within the food category. Understanding current market dynamics and shopper behaviour will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in category management or related roles. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into what makes a successful Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced retail partners or improved category performance in your previous roles. Being able to articulate your impact will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s product range and their positioning in the market. Showing that you understand their brand and can contribute to their strategy will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your FMCG category experience and any direct work with major UK retailers. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence key retail partners and deliver results.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, tell a story about your journey in category management. Emphasise your understanding of shopper behaviour and how you've used data to shape successful promotional strategies.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Mention your experience with tools like Dunnhumby, Retail Link, and Kantar. Provide examples of how you've turned shopper insights into actionable strategies that have positively impacted sales and category performance.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Discuss your ability to work closely with cross-functional teams, such as sales, supply chain, and marketing. Share specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes in category management.
How to prepare for a job interview at Consumer Hub
✨Showcase Your Data Storytelling Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples where your insights led to successful outcomes, especially in category management.
✨Understand the Shopper's Journey
Familiarise yourself with the shopper's experience in-store. Be prepared to discuss how you would enhance this journey through effective range and promotional strategies, demonstrating your understanding of shopper behaviour.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Experience
Highlight your ability to work across various teams, such as sales, marketing, and supply chain. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated to achieve common goals, showcasing your teamwork skills.
✨Be Commercially Savvy
Prepare to discuss how you balance growth with margin and cost. Bring examples of how you've managed category performance in a way that maximises profitability while meeting consumer needs.