At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Costa's global AFH portfolio strategy and drive innovative growth.
- Company: Join Costa Coffee, a global brand reimagining coffee experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like share ownership, discounts, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinking, project management, and marketing skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
At Costa Coffee, we are what we craft. We’re reimagining coffee experiences in over 50 countries and counting, as a key part of the Coca-Cola System. Whether you get your coffee in a store, from a machine, at home, or on the go – we’ve got you covered.
In this role you will lead Costa's global AFH portfolio strategy, shaping where we play and invest across machines, ecommerce, soluble and consumables. Define a future-focused roadmap, drive investment decisions, and work cross-functionally to deliver innovative propositions that accelerate growth across priority markets.
Our teams make a difference. Whether that’s working on new tech for the perfect pour, helping our teams grow, creating award-winning campaigns, crunching the numbers, or developing the latest exciting menu item; together, we stir up success.
We may be a global brand, but we haven’t forgotten our roots. That’s where the Costa Foundation and our fantastic community agenda come in. Whatever your role, you can help us change lives in coffee growing communities and help your local community too.
We also want to help you grow in your career through amazing experiences, our apprenticeship scheme, and development programmes. At Costa, you can go beyond the day-to-day. And as a Global Category Manager - Portfolio, there’s never been a better time to join.
So, why Costa? We didn’t become a global coffee brand by sitting back. When you work here, you join a community that values passion, progression and integrity, with some pretty brilliant perks to sweeten the deal:
- Own a piece of Costa’s success by becoming a share owner in Coca-Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
- An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
- A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
- The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure
- 50% discount in all Costa-owned stores, and 25% off in other participating stores
- Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme
We’re passionate about being a great place to work, where you can bring your unique self into our mix. We firmly support diversity, equity and inclusion, and continue to work with our teams to shape the future of our culture and values: Disciplined to Deliver, Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge and Trusted Team Players.
What you’ll do: Being a Global Category Manager - Portfolio is about so much more than bringing our coffee to the world. It’s your chance to stir up real success - which means you’ll be:
- Defining and delivering the global AFH portfolio strategy, vision and roadmap, driving long-term growth across machines, coffee and non-coffee categories.
- Leading portfolio investment decisions, capability development and market prioritisation, ensuring resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities.
- Developing robust commercial models and business cases, partnering with finance and market teams to evaluate opportunities and maximise returns.
- Influence and align senior stakeholders through clear strategic recommendations, market insight and data-driven decision making.
- Drive pace, execution and governance across complex cross-functional programmes, managing key partnerships and providing transparent progress updates.
Who you are: It’s your unique ingredients we’re interested in:
- Strategic acumen – ability to understand insights, competitor/market trends and set direction.
- Business planning – ability to prioritise and plan delivery of complex strategic agendas.
- Project management – ability to structure delivery of cross functional projects/programmes.
- Marketing – ability to develop impactful consumer and customer messaging and activation plans.
Where you’ll work: Right now, our Support Centre teams work flexibly, blending home working with in-person time whenever it matters most – whether that’s a team moment, a creative session, or simply coming together to share ideas. We’re excited to be moving into a new home for our brand in St Albans in January 2027 – an inspiring space from which our Support Centre teams will work three days a week to connect and collaborate in-person to bring our bold ambition to life.
For any reasonable adjustments and general queries, please get in touch with costacareers@costacoffee.com
Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH in St Albans employer: Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee in Sutton Coldfield offers a vibrant work culture where team collaboration and customer satisfaction are at the heart of everything we do. As an Assistant Store Manager, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring your growth within the company while enjoying the unique advantage of working in a community-focused environment that values coffee excellence and exceptional service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH in St Albans
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH at Costa Coffee!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Costa Coffee or be willing to refer you for that Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Costa Coffee who’s on the lookout for their next Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH role at Costa Coffee!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Category Manager- Portfolio AFH in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Costa Coffee. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costa Coffee
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Costa Coffee. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
