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- Tasks: Drive growth for bakery brands using data insights and build strong retailer partnerships.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing bakery manufacturers with a stellar industry reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, and hybrid work options for better work-life balance.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team making waves in the bakery market with exciting growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years in a Category or Insights role, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel proficiency required.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to influence product listings and expand distribution in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you a Category Executive or working in a junior Insights role and looking for your first Category Manager position? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing bakery manufacturers as a Category Manager.
Their product range includes both branded and private label breads and morning goods. The business has secured national distribution across the Retail, Wholesale, and Foodservice channels and has also seen significant success in the Export market. Over the last five years, they have grown profitably from £200m to £400m, driven by category-leading NPD and the launch of the fastest growing bakery brand in the market. Their expansion into new markets includes the development of a state of the art production facility in Europe to support European growth.
With an outstanding reputation across the industry, their success has been recognised through multiple industry and supplier awards. Due to their continued growth and increased demand, they are now looking to add an additional Category Manager to their team.
Key ResponsibilitiesAs a Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving growth for our brands and supporting our customers. Using data-driven insights and strong relationship-building skills, you will develop collaborative strategies that align with commercial priorities and deliver impactful results.
- Manage category performance across key UK Grocery accounts.
- Build strong partnerships with retailers, providing category insights and fulfilling ad hoc analysis requests.
- Identify market trends and opportunities to drive growth.
- Lead internal and external presentations, including retailer brand planning days and category reviews.
- Drive category rationale for securing product listings and expanding distribution.
- Conduct competitor analysis and store visits to stay ahead of market trends.
The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of experience in a Category or Insights role within the food industry. They will possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate large datasets into meaningful insights. Excellent relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills are essential, as is the ability to engage both internal and external stakeholders. A strong commercial mindset, combined with an understanding of shopper behaviour and market trends, will be crucial to success in this role. Proficiency in Excel at an advanced level is required, along with the ability to present data in an engaging and actionable way.
LocationThis is a hybrid role, with the successful candidate spending 2-3 days per week at the company's Bedfordshire head office.
Benefits£40,000 – £50,000 + Bonus & Benefits
For more information, please contact Aidan Goodall on 01943 667280 or via email at Aidan@fmcgselection.co.uk.
Category Manager employer: FMCG Selection
Contact Detail:
FMCG Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the bakery market and its key players. Understanding the competitive landscape will help you speak confidently about trends and opportunities during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food industry, especially those in category management roles. Attend industry events or webinars to build connections that could lead to referrals or insider information about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your data analysis skills, particularly in Excel. Being able to demonstrate your ability to interpret data and derive insights will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used insights to drive growth in previous roles. Having concrete stories ready will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver results.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management or insights roles, particularly within the food industry. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to drive growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the bakery sector and your understanding of market trends. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Category Manager role and how you can contribute to the company's success.
Highlight Analytical Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in Excel and your ability to translate data into actionable insights. Provide examples of how you've used data to influence decisions or drive category performance in previous roles.
Showcase Relationship-Building Abilities: Include examples of how you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrating your communication and influencing skills will set you apart.
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Selection
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse data effectively. Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles, and be ready to discuss specific insights you've gained from large datasets.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Strong relationship-building skills are crucial for this role. During the interview, focus on establishing a connection with your interviewers. Use active listening and engage them with thoughtful questions about their experiences and the company culture.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current trends in the bakery sector and be prepared to discuss how these could impact the company's growth. Showing that you are knowledgeable about the industry will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Prepare for Presentations
Since the role involves leading presentations, practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. You might be asked to present a case study or analysis during the interview, so ensure you can convey your thoughts in an engaging manner.
