Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in key categories and provide data-led insights to major grocery accounts.
- Company: Leading bakery manufacturer with a strong heritage and innovative approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Join a growing business where your insights shape commercial decisions and partnerships.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years of category management experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 58000 £ per year.
Location: Bedfordshire
Working Pattern: Full-time | Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)
Department: Category & Insights
Salary & benefits: £50,000 to £55,000, 10% Bonus, Pension & Benefits
About the Company
Our client is a leading bakery manufacturer with a strong heritage in producing high-quality baked goods. With decades of expertise, the business has grown significantly to become a major player within the European bakery market. The company produces both private label products for leading retailers as well as a category-leading branded bakery range, giving them a strong presence across multiple channels. Today the business operates a number of advanced manufacturing facilities across the UK and Europe and supplies a wide range of customers across Retail, Wholesale, Convenience, and Foodservice channels. In recent years the business has experienced strong growth, supported by continued investment across its manufacturing sites in the UK and internationally.
The Role
As a Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving growth within key categories while supporting customers through data-led insight and collaboration. You will work closely with major European grocery accounts, developing category strategies aligned to commercial priorities and delivering meaningful, actionable outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business where category insight is highly valued and plays a key role in shaping commercial decision-making and customer partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
- Category management of key European grocery accounts
- Build strong partnerships with retailers, providing category insights and responding to ad hoc analysis requests
- Identify category trends and opportunities to drive growth
- Develop compelling category rationale to support product listings and distribution expansion
- Stay ahead of market and shopper trends through competitor analysis
Skills & Experience
- Data to Insights: Proven experience turning complex data into clear, actionable insights, using shopper research and market trends to drive category growth
- Building Partnerships: Ability to establish trusted relationships with key customers, acting as a category expert and objective advisor
- Sales Support: Deliver insight-led recommendations to support distribution, listings, and promotional activity
- Execution & Growth: Experience delivering range reviews, maximising shelf space, and executing category strategies to drive visibility and sales
Who We’re Looking For
- A strategic thinker with 2–3 years’ category management experience and a passion for driving growth
- Strong analytical capability with the confidence to interpret and communicate large datasets
- Excellent relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex data to non-technical stakeholders
- Strong commercial acumen with a sound understanding of shopper behaviour and market trends
- Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to present data in a clear, engaging, and actionable way
For more information, please apply via the advert or contact Aidan Goodall at FMCG Selection on 01943 667280 or email.
Category Manager in Luton employer: FMCG Selection
Contact Detail:
FMCG Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Know their market position and be ready to discuss how your insights can drive their category growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during interviews. Bring examples of how you've turned data into actionable insights and how that led to successful outcomes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and you can keep track of your progress easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant data analysis skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the bakery industry and the specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our growth. Be sure to mention your experience with building partnerships and turning data into insights, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role requires strong analytical capabilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your experience with data. Include examples of how you've turned complex datasets into actionable insights that drove growth in previous roles. We love seeing numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Selection
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to turn complex data into actionable insights. Before the interview, brush up on relevant market trends and be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive category growth.
✨Build Your Story Around Partnerships
This role requires strong relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've established trusted partnerships with retailers or clients. Think about specific instances where your insights led to successful collaborations and be ready to share those stories.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Research the latest trends in the bakery sector and be prepared to discuss them. Show that you’re not just aware of current trends but also how they can impact category strategies. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and strategic thinking.
✨Excel at Presenting Data
Since advanced Excel skills are crucial for this position, practice presenting data clearly and engagingly. Consider creating a mock presentation that showcases your ability to communicate complex information to non-technical stakeholders effectively.