At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth strategies for top food brands and influence customer decisions.
- Company: Join Hain Celestial, a leader in healthier food and beverage options.
- Benefits: Home-based role with travel, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel to customer sites and Hain offices.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the FMCG sector while collaborating with major retailers.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Category Management within FMCG, strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Advert Location: Home-based, UK (with occasional travel to customer sites, Hain offices and manufacturing locations across the UK)
Join Hain Celestial UK. At Hain Celestial, we're passionate about creating healthier ways of living through some of the UK's most loved food and beverage brands such as Ella's Kitchen, Linda McCartney's, Hartley's, Roberson's, SunPat, Yorkshire Provender, New Covent Garden and many more. Category Management sits at the heart of our commercial strategy, helping us unlock growth opportunities for our brands, customers and consumers.
The Role
As Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies that drive growth for both Hain Celestial and our customers. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Channel Marketing, Commercial Strategy, Demand Planning and NPD teams, you'll use data, shopper insight and market trends to create compelling recommendations that influence decision‑making at every level. You'll act as a trusted category partner to customers, helping them optimise ranging, merchandising, pricing and promotional strategies while delivering exceptional shopper experiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Customer Category Planning
- Partner with key customers to develop category strategies that maximise category performance, shopability and mutual growth.
- Translate shopper, consumer and market insights into actionable customer plans.
- Develop recommendations across portfolio, placement, pricing and promotions.
- Monitor category performance and evaluate execution at point of purchase.
- Range Optimisation
- Lead assortment and range planning initiatives based on shopper needs, market trends and commercial performance.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen Hain's category leadership position with customers.
- Deliver data‑led recommendations that influence ranging and merchandising decisions.
- Lead customer and internal range review processes from insight through to implementation.
- Category Insight & Thought Leadership
- Analyse market, retailer and shopper data to generate actionable insights for Sales, Marketing and NPD teams.
- Support innovation pipeline development through category and consumer understanding.
- Monitor competitor activity, market trends and emerging opportunities.
- Develop compelling category stories and recommendations that drive customer action and commercial results.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Sales, Marketing, NPD, Channel Marketing, Commercial Strategy and Demand Planning teams to align category priorities and deliver business objectives.
- Act as the category expert within the organisation, providing guidance and support across multiple stakeholders.
About You
You’ll be a highly collaborative and influential category professional with a passion for turning insight into action.
Essential Experience
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a Category Management role within the FMCG food industry.
- Strong understanding of category management principles, shopper behaviour and retailer strategies.
- Experience working with major UK grocery retailers, with knowledge of Asda considered particularly valuable.
- Proven track record of influencing customers and delivering category growth.
- Strong analytical and commercial skills with advanced Excel capability.
Desirable Experience
- Multi‑channel category experience.
- Brand‑side experience.
- Experience using shopper, market and retailer data platforms.
- Knowledge of Quantium or similar category insight tools.
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional communication, presentation and storytelling skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing ability.
- Commercially astute with excellent attention to detail.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long‑term category development and short‑term commercial delivery.
- Able to build credible, trusted relationships internally and externally.
- Self‑motivated, proactive and comfortable working independently within a remote environment.
What's Important in This Role?
Success in this position comes from combining objective, data‑driven category thinking with a clear focus on delivering commercial results. You'll be expected to create compelling narratives from complex data, influence customer decision‑making and help shape category strategies that drive sustainable growth.
Additional Information
Home‑based role with regular UK travel. Frequent visits to customer head offices, route‑to‑market partners, Hain offices and manufacturing sites. Occasional overnight stays will be required.
If you're passionate about category management, enjoy influencing customers through insight‑led recommendations and want to play a key role in driving growth for a leading FMCG business, we'd love to hear from you.
Category Manager employer: Hain Daniels Group
At Hain Celestial UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a home-based Category Manager, you'll enjoy the flexibility of remote work while collaborating with passionate teams across the UK, driving growth for some of the nation's favourite food brands. We offer robust professional development opportunities, a commitment to employee well-being, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Hain Daniels Group.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Hain Daniels Group!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Hain Daniels Group, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Hain Daniels Group, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Hain Daniels Group, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Hain Daniels Group.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Hain Daniels Group. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Hain Daniels Group. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hain Daniels Group
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Hain Daniels Group’s mission.
