At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category management strategies and drive sustainable growth with key retail partners.
- Company: Join Haleon, a purpose-driven consumer company focused on everyday health.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health and wellness while collaborating with top brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong communication skills are essential.
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. 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. 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.
About the role
We are currently recruiting for Senior Category Manager within the team. You will define and implement category management strategies with key retail customers and proactively deliver compelling insights and category arguments that give confidence to stakeholders internally and externally of how to drive long term sustainable category growth. You will work with customer partners to deliver category thought leadership by challenging conventional thinking to co-create inspiring category vision, drivers and tactics to gain advantage for our brands and drive sustainable, profitable growth. The Senior Category Manager is expected to show strong internal and external leadership, advanced strategic thinking & implementation and provide support to the team and Category Development Lead.
Key responsibilities
- Multi-Functional Working: Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships, influence internal and external stakeholders and work in a collaborative manner.
- Ensure clear understanding of customer dynamics, inspiring and giving confidence to our key retailer partners.
- Challenge conventional thinking & ways of working, leading the wider cross-functional team to proactively look for new, exciting ways to drive category growth.
- Ensure that category is at the heart of Customer Engagement Days and internal Commercial Planning Process by working within a cross functional team to create actionable category, customer & shopper insight driven plans.
Accountability & Courage
- Be accountable. Set clear & achievable targets. Propose ideas to drive category performance grounded in insight.
- Identify the big wins for Haleon, the customer & the category, short, medium & long term and prioritise team work plan accordingly.
- Question when things could be done better, take appropriate risks and learn from mistakes.
- Be the voice of the category and customer internally, ensure customer insight is at the heart of all Haleon decision making.
- Define the “so what” from the data, taking insights forward to create a compelling customer story and tangible action using an array of sources.
- Proactively monitor, evaluate and analyse customer performance against our competitive set and categories. Identify opportunities and risks to proactively take to key stakeholders.
- Co-develop, sell & execute category strategy for competitive advantage in key customers.
Evolution and implementation
- UK based category strategy that delivers against the needs of Haleon/the shopper and the category with the retailer.
- Work with wider category management team to evolve a rolling long term Category Vision, Drivers and Tactics.
- Set up and implement category testing and trial initiatives including customer interface, analysis and monitoring using Haleon resources such as the shopper science lab.
Business Planning
- Work in conjunction with NRM to populate Tool kits i.e. Range Price, Pack Architecture, ROS, SKU ladder hierarchy and jointly develop promotional strategy recommendations.
- Develop and implement customer facing range strategies.
- Become the voice of the shopper & customer internally at Haleon during the business planning process e.g. SKU rationalization.
- Become the voice of the retailer internally as part of internal Commercial Planning Process (feeding in retailer strategies, SRP requirements, range review timings etc).
Customer relationships
- Champion collecting & integrating ongoing insights/analysis (shopper, category, channel & customer) leading to compelling and selling commercial propositions.
- Ensuring that category plans are integrated, understood and supported externally by key customers.
- Lead development and implementation of optimal ranges and planogram solutions for Haleon brands within assigned category across key prioritised customers that meet the needs of the category strategy including post range review analysis.
- Responsible for delivering value to customers through relevant category/shopper/customer/consumer insights and Haleon initiatives that unlock value growth for the customer/shopper and category.
Qualifications and skills
- Essential: Experience working with retailers (customer management), in category management, shopper or trade marketing, or other commercial excellence areas.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Keen to work with customers, taking data and converting it to strategy.
- Preferred: Proven ability to use data and insights to provide recommendations in eCommerce or digital marketing.
- Experience of using retailer data platforms to deliver insights and recommendations internally and externally (such as Dunhumby, Nectar, Amazon VC /ABVP).
Senior Category Manager employer: Haleon
Haleon is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly in the dynamic field of Oral Health. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact consumer insights and brand excellence. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys a work-life balance that encourages creativity and forward-thinking in the realm of digital and AI solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager
✨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 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 are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
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 on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Haleon. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager
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. 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:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Haleon’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
✨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 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, 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.
