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- Tasks: Lead category management for a top UK food brand, influencing product placement and promotions.
- Company: Join a well-known brand that shapes the shopping experience for hungry customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, coaching opportunities, and a chance to impact a beloved food category.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of category strategy, blending data insights with real-world shopper behaviour.
- Qualifications: Significant FMCG category management experience and a track record with major retailers required.
- Other info: This role offers a mix of strategic influence and hands-on execution in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
A busy shopper heads into the store, short on time but hungry for something quick, something familiar, something that just hits the spot. They make a beeline for the chilled aisle. They don’t browse. They don’t hesitate. They know exactly what they’re looking for — and it’s there, right where it should be.
That moment doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because someone, somewhere, made the right call on range, space, price, and promotion. Someone read the data, knew the shopper, and influenced the retailer to make it happen.
That someone could be YOU.
We’re looking for a Senior Category Manager to lead one of the UK’s best-loved food categories for one of the most recognisable brands both front and back of store.
Put yourself in the shoes of the customer – spot gaps in the market, guide the conversations that decide what comes off shelf and, most importantly, what lands next. Safe to say, this isn’t a back-office role.
Run merchandising reviews and help shape point of purchase tactics too. That might mean trialling new layouts, managing store tests, or advising on rollouts to make sure the in-store experience actually reflects shopper behaviour – not just guesswork. You’ve been in a store before, you’ll figure it out.
You’ll own promotional planning, from recommending mechanics to tracking performance and evaluating results. And when it comes to insight, you’ll be hands-on. Using platforms like Dunnhumby, Retail Link, retailer data and Kantar to understand what’s happening in the category and why, then presenting that back in a way that gets people to act.
This role demands you work closely with nearly every part of the business. Top to bottom – from sales to marketing, from supply chain to NPD. You’ll lead conversations that shape the strategy but also roll up your sleeves when the detail matters. You’ll get a real sense of how such a big player in the UK supplier scene operates at every level.
There’s a team leadership element too. Utilise your vast experience to coach and develop someone directly reporting into you and play a wider leadership role within the Category Development team. Relish the opportunity to share knowledge, build capability, and simply put… set the standard for how category management should be done.
To make this work, you’ll need significant FMCG category management experience and a track record of working directly with major retailers. You’ll be commercially sharp, with the ability to balance category growth with cost and margin considerations. Ensure you know your way around range reviews, tail management, segmentation, shopper research and all the things that make great category plans actually land.
This role is hybrid but with a significant proportion home-based, you’ll be out and about for customer visits too. The site is in the East Midlands so something within reach would be useful.
If you like the idea of owning a big category in one of the UK’s best-loved food sectors, and you’re ready for a role that mixes commercial thinking with real influence, this could be the one…
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Product Management
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Industries
Food and Beverage Retail
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Senior Category Manager employer: Consumer Hub
Contact Detail:
Consumer Hub Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in FMCG and category management. Understanding current market dynamics and shopper behaviour will help you speak confidently about how you can influence product placement and promotions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience with major retailers. Building relationships can provide insights into what retailers are looking for and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed categories in the past. Highlight your ability to analyse data and make strategic decisions that led to measurable results.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've developed and coached team members in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to not only manage a category but also to uplift those around you.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your FMCG category management experience and any relevant achievements. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence retailers and manage categories effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the food sector and how your skills align with the role. Mention your experience with data analysis tools like Dunnhumby and Kantar, and how you've used insights to drive category growth.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role involves team leadership, include examples of how you've coached or developed team members in previous positions. Highlight your ability to lead conversations that shape strategy across different business functions.
Demonstrate Market Understanding: In your application, show that you understand the market dynamics and shopper behaviour. Discuss any experience you have with range reviews, promotional planning, and how you've successfully implemented category plans in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Consumer Hub
✨Know Your Data
As a Senior Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse and interpret data. Familiarise yourself with platforms like Dunnhumby and Kantar, and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles.
✨Understand Shopper Behaviour
Put yourself in the shoes of the customer. Be ready to talk about how you’ve identified gaps in the market and influenced product placement based on shopper insights. Show that you can think from the customer's perspective.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role involves coaching and developing team members. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, focusing on your approach to mentoring and building capability within your team.
✨Be Commercially Savvy
You’ll need to balance category growth with cost and margin considerations. Come equipped with examples of how you've successfully managed budgets and driven profitability in your previous roles.
