At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth by embedding customer insights into strategies and initiatives.
- Company: Join Haleon, a purpose-driven consumer health company with bold ambitions.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on everyday health while collaborating with diverse teams across Europe.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in FMCG, strong stakeholder management, and experience in category management.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Welcome to Haleon.
We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions.
In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity.
Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people.
We do this through our Win as One strategy.
It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do.
It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.
Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne®, Panadol®, Advil®, Voltaren®, Theraflu®, Otrivin®, and Centrum® – lead in resilient and growing categories.
What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science.
- Title: Category & Shopper Lead Shopper Science Lab – OTC
- Reports to: Category and Shopper Director & Head of UK SSL
The Category & Shopper Lead - OTC plays a critical role in driving sustainable category growth across Europe by embedding the Voice of the Customer into category strategies, commercial planning and execution.
At the core of this role is the application of the SSL to understand shopper, consumer and healthcare professional behaviour and translate these insights into actionable category and customer solutions.
You will lead customer engagement and co-creation through the SSL, bringing category strategies to life in immersive environments, influencing decision-making, and delivering measurable commercial impact.
Working at a European level, you will act as a bridge between global strategy and local execution, ensuring category strategies are relevant, scalable and embedded across markets.
This is a hybrid role; based in London, Bankside & the Shopper Science Lab will based in London Tides (Bankside) from July 2026.
There will also be occasional travel to local markets.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Category Growth & Customer/Channel Centricity
- Champion the Voice of the Customer within the OTC category, ensuring customer and shopper insights are embedded into category strategies, initiatives and growth plans.
- Support the integration of shopper, customer and retailer insights into category plans and customer initiatives.
- Partner with Europe and market teams to translate category and brand growth plans into retailer/channel-relevant recommendations.
- Support the localisation and implementation of category strategies across European markets.
- Contribute to the development of core category growth tools and materials.
- Support Perfect Shelf and execution excellence programmes through application of Shopper Science Lab capabilities.
- Deliver Customer and Shopper Science Lab Programmes
- Deliver customer engagement and retailer collaboration sessions within the Shopper Science Lab.
- Support the design and execution of immersive SSL experiences that bring category strategies and insights to life.
- Work with market teams to adapt SSL outputs and recommendations to local customer needs.
- Share best practices and case studies across markets to drive consistency and learning.
- Support capability-building activities that increase understanding and adoption of SSL tools and approaches.
- Shape Commercial Excellence and Category Strategy
- Input category-specific priorities and strategies into broader Commercial Excellence blueprints, frameworks and guidance.
- Ensure category growth plans are effectively reflected within omnichannel commercial planning approaches and execution standards.
- Collaborate with Com Ex teams to embed category priorities into commercial capability programmes, tools, metrics and best practices.
- Enable Market Execution and Capability Building
- Support markets in adapting category strategies and commercial planning approaches to local customer needs and opportunities.
- Drive consistency and alignment across markets while enabling the flexibility required for local execution.
- Build capability and understanding of category-led commercial planning across the organisation.
Why you?
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 8-10+ years of commercial experience within FMCG
- Experience in category management, shopper insights, commercial excellence, sales
- Proven ability to translate insight into commercial action and growth plans
- Experience working in matrixed, multi market environment
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement with senior regional and global stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in OTC, Consumer Healthcare and/or Pharmacy channels.
- Experience in omnichannel commercial planning, and/or Revenue Growth Management.
- Experience developing commercial frameworks, toolkits and capability programmes at regional or global level.
- Implementing change initiatives and leading change.
- Sustaining energy and well-being, building resilience in teams.
- Translating strategy into action - a compelling narrative, motivating others, setting objectives and delegation.
- Building strong relationships and collaboration, managing trusted stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
- Job Posting End Date
- 2026-10-14
- Equal Opportunities
Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day.
It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people.
It’s important to us that Haleon is a place where all our employees feel they truly belong.
During the application process, we may ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary.
This information ensures we meet certain regulatory and reporting obligations and supports the development, refinement, and execution of our inclusion and belonging programmes that are open to all Haleon employees.
The personal information you provide will be kept confidential, used only for legitimate business purposes, and will never be used in making any employment decisions, including hiring decisions.
Adjustment or Accommodations Request
If you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process, please let your recruiter know by providing them with a description of specific adjustments you are requesting.
We’ll provide all reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and treat all information you provide us in confidence.
Note to candidates
The Haleon recruitment team will contact you using a Haleon email account (@haleon. com). If you are not sure whether the email you received is from Haleon, please get in touch.
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Category & Shopper Lead Shopper Science Lab – OTC employer: Haleon plc.
At Haleon, we pride ourselves on being a purpose-driven employer that champions everyday health through our renowned consumer brands. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. Located in a vibrant area, we offer unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category & Shopper Lead Shopper Science Lab – OTC
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Haleon plc. and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Haleon plc. are looking for.
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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Haleon plc. on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Category & Shopper Lead Shopper Science Lab – OTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Haleon plc.. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Haleon plc.:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Haleon plc.’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haleon plc.
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Haleon plc. will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Haleon plc., they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
