At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver category plans to drive sales and growth at Greggs.
- Company: Join the fun and inclusive culture at Greggs, a leading UK food-to-go brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a commitment to community and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning insights into action in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial acumen and experience in food or retail sectors required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Category Planning Manager here at Greggs. This is a key commercial role, helping shape and deliver category plans that support business growth, drive sales and margin performance, and turn customer, market and commercial insight into clear menu, pricing and implementation priorities. Working with teams across Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Insight and PLM, you’ll turn insight into clear priorities and help deliver activity at pace across Greggs.
About the role
- This is a full-time role, however flexibility in this will be considered.
- We know that having a work-life balance is important, so we offer our colleagues as much flexibility as possible in line with the needs of their role.
- The base location for this role is Greggs House, Quorum Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8BU.
What you'll do
- Develop and deliver category plans for lead areas that drive sales and margin growth over a 1-3-year horizon.
- Use internal and external insight, commercial data and customer understanding to identify opportunities, risks and future category direction.
- Deliver the Great Tasting Freshly Prepared menu plan across dayparts and workstreams, ensuring activity is aligned to customer needs, business priorities and the Greggs Pledge.
- Develop pricing and promotion principles, considering customer behaviour, competitor pricing, sales, margin and promotional mechanics.
- Own and project manage category workstreams through the PLM process, from concept briefs through to implementation and performance review.
- Influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver menu, pricing, promotion and category priorities successfully.
- Support business change by identifying new ways of working, improving decision-making and helping build Business Intelligence capability.
- Manage and develop a high-performing team, setting clear responsibilities, supporting development plans and encouraging strong stakeholder collaboration.
About you
This is a great opportunity to shape commercially grounded category plans within a major UK food-to-go brand. We’re looking for a confident category leader who can translate customer, market and commercial insight into clear business action, influence cross-functional teams, and demonstrate:
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience building and delivering plans that drive sales and margin growth.
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to use insight and data to identify opportunities, risks and priorities.
- Strong stakeholder management, able to collaborate and influence across Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Insight and PLM.
- A passion for food and drink, with curiosity for customer behaviour, market trends and innovation.
- Highly organised and confident managing priorities, projects and people through to delivery.
- Experience in food, QSR, food-to-go, retail or a related commercial environment.
About Greggs
Here at Greggs, we love what we do, and we have fun! What makes us so special is our culture - how we behave and support each other. Everyone's welcome at Greggs. Whatever their background, preferences or beliefs we want all of our colleagues to feel welcome and able to be themselves at work.
Category Planning Manager employer: Greggs plc
At Greggs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where every team member is valued and supported. As a Shift Manager, you'll enjoy competitive pay, generous colleague discounts, and opportunities for personal growth, all while working in a fun environment that prioritises customer satisfaction and teamwork. With benefits like paid breaks, health and wellbeing support, and a pension scheme, we ensure our employees feel appreciated and motivated to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Planning Manager
✨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 Category Planning Manager at Greggs plc!
✨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 Greggs plc or be willing to refer you for that Category Planning Manager 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 Greggs plc who’s on the lookout for their next Category Planning Manager 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 Category Planning Manager role at Greggs plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Planning Manager
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 Greggs plc. 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 Greggs plc
✨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 Greggs plc. 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!
