At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in chilled food categories and translate insights into action.
- Company: Join Cranswick, a leading innovator in the food industry with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, share save scheme, enhanced pension, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities and a dynamic culture focused on innovation.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact in a fast-paced FMCG environment while shaping category strategies.
- Qualifications: 1+ year in Category Management, strong analytical skills, and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As an Interim Category Marketing Manager, you’ll take ownership of driving growth across key chilled food categories, translating insight into action at pace. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-moving FMCG environment and is ready to make an immediate impact. You’ll use consumer trends, shopper behaviour, and market data to shape winning strategies, strengthen retailer partnerships, and influence category performance from day one.
About Cranswick: We are a leading innovator in the food industry, known for high-quality products and a strong commitment to sustainability. At Cranswick, we thrive on creativity, collaboration, and a forward‑thinking approach. With a rich heritage and dynamic culture, we offer exciting opportunities to grow your career while building strong partnerships with major UK retailers. Join us and be part of a business that values excellence, innovation, and lasting relationships.
What You'll Do:
- Category Leadership – Taking ownership of category plans and driving short-term and long-term growth
- Market Analysis – Interpreting consumer, shopper and market data to identify clear opportunities
- Data into Action – Converting insight into practical, commercially focused recommendations
- Retailer Growth – Supporting and strengthening key retailer relationships, with a strong focus on Sainsbury’s
- Category Strategy – Delivering agile plans across:
- Promotions & Pricing
- Ranging & Distribution
- Channel Optimisation
- Product Quality & Innovation
- Product Development – Influencing NPD through emerging food trends and shopper behaviour
- Innovation – Supporting early‑stage thinking to unlock new category opportunities
- Stakeholder Engagement – Delivering clear, impactful updates to both internal teams and external partners
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience – Minimum 1 year in Category Management within FMCG (ideally chilled/fresh), looking to step up.
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to look beyond the data to create vision and support growth.
- Analytical Skills – Strong numerical ability to interpret complex data sets and spreadsheets.
- Creativity & Detail – Attention to detail and innovative thinking to deliver new ways of working.
- Market Data Expertise – Experience with tools such as IRI, Nielsen, Kantar, or SIP.
- Communication & Influence – Confident decision‑making, strong presentation skills, and ability to inspire stakeholders.
- Relationship Management – Skilled at building and maintaining relationships internally and externally.
- Attitude – Positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about food and consumer trends.
What We Offer:
- Attractive starting salary (discussed at application stage)
- Company Share Save scheme – purchase shares at a discounted rate
- Enhanced pension scheme with contribution options
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 5 additional days
- Employee discount portal – savings across major retailers and supermarkets
Closing date 30th June 2026
Category Marketing Manager employer: Cranswick Country Foods PLC
Cranswick is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to make an immediate impact in the fast-paced FMCG sector. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, employees benefit from exciting career growth opportunities, a generous holiday entitlement, and a supportive environment that values excellence and lasting partnerships with major UK retailers.
Contact Details:
Cranswick Country Foods PLC Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Marketing Manager
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!
✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Marketing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Cranswick Country Foods PLC from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Cranswick Country Foods PLC specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranswick Country Foods PLC
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Cranswick Country Foods PLC, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Cranswick Country Foods PLC you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Cranswick Country Foods PLC that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Cranswick Country Foods PLC, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
