At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing strategies for beloved brands and drive category growth.
- Company: Join a leading sustainable food company with a positive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-driven business focused on natural goodness.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG category management and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
You probably know us best through our beloved brands: Deliciously Ella for our range of plant-based food products and delicious recipes; Organix for our tasty toddler snacking range; and Goodies for fun pre-schooler snacks. This is a unique opportunity to lead the Marketing agenda and make a visible impact in a leading company that prioritises sustainability, integrity, and natural goodness.
We’re proud of our strong heritage of using business as a force for good in the UK food landscape – building brands that connect deeply with consumers; leading our categories in key retail partners; and offering nutritious, delicious snacking options to all age groups. You’ll find our offices in the heart of London and in sunny Bournemouth. We’ve been named a Great Place to Work, and we’re seriously proud of the positive culture and business we’ve built together.
We’re part of the Hero Group, a global family of brands united by a shared mission ‘to delight consumers through honest goodness in every bite’. Hero is a global food company, founded in 1886 in Switzerland, specialising in branded nutritional products across the Growing Up and Adult categories. With a portfolio of trusted brands like Corny, Semper, Goodies, Beech-Nut, Organix, and Deliciously Ella, Hero delivers high-quality, great-tasting food rooted in natural goodness. With 4,000 team members worldwide, the company is driven by strong values, high performance, and a commitment to doing the right thing - always, without compromise.
About the role
As our Category Manager, you’ll help shape how shoppers discover and choose Adult Snacking and Baby products at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. You’ll turn category, shopper and market insight into clear recommendations that grow our categories and create value for retailers and shoppers. You’ll join our Category & Insight team, reporting to the Category & Insight Controller. Working with Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Product Teams and global Category & Brand colleagues, you’ll turn insight into agreed actions and share UK learning across the Hero Group. This permanent, full-time role is based in London, with two office days each week, monthly UK retailer visits and occasional visits to Bournemouth. You’ll lead projects and guide colleagues without direct people management responsibilities.
Key responsibilities
- Build trusted category relationships with Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
- Develop growth plans tailored to each retailer’s shoppers and priorities, influencing range, space, distribution, availability and fixture navigation.
- Turn analysis into commercial action. Recommend pricing and promotional opportunities with Commercial and Finance, assessing incremental sales, recruitment, repeat purchase and cannibalisation.
- Evaluate shopper media and in-store shopper psychology initiatives. Agree objectives, baselines and success measures, distinguish observed results from proven incremental impact and recommend what to improve, repeat or scale.
- Bring insight to life. Combine retailer, market, shopper and consumer data into clear category stories, highlighting opportunities across range, formats, innovation and shopper missions. Track agreed actions and evaluate results.
- Contribute to global Category & Insight projects. Share relevant UK learning and turn global insight into practical opportunities for the UK business.
- Lead delivery across your category projects. Agree priorities, timings and responsibilities, provide constructive analytical challenge and elevate dependencies to the Category & Insight Controller. You’ll own analytical quality and align implementation with Commercial; final range, pricing and promotional decisions sit with each retailer.
- Own the SIP and dunnhumby Waitrose partnerships. Negotiate terms, costs and service scope within agreed budgets and approvals, coordinate renewals and review the value and usefulness of each service.
About you
You’ll bring FMCG category management experience, including relevant agency experience, with evidence of influencing retailers and supporting category growth. You’ll understand grocery retail and how range, distribution, pricing, promotions and shopper behaviour shape performance. You can combine multiple data sources, build a clear category story and influence buyers and colleagues. You’ll be confident using Excel, PowerPoint, retailer shopper data and market data, and able to prioritise projects, challenge constructively and communicate practical recommendations. No specific qualification is required. We’re interested in the capability and relevant experience you can demonstrate. It would be helpful, although not essential, to have experience in Baby, children’s or adult snacking, exposure to Sainsbury’s or Waitrose, or involvement in global projects. Experience of shopper psychology, fixture navigation, shopper media or store-trial evaluation would also be welcome. A relevant commercial, analytical or shopper qualification, or experience with dunnhumby, SIP/Nectar, NIQ, Circana or Kantar, would be an advantage.
What We Offer
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. Developed through an inclusive process involving colleagues from across the business, they guide how we work, collaborate, and succeed together. They reflect who we are today and the future we are building.
- Create Wow - We go beyond expectations and strive to make a meaningful impact
- Everyone Hero – Every individual matters and every contribution counts.
- Nourish Others – We support, inspire, and help each other grow.
- Take Responsibility - We own our actions and outcomes, individually and as a team
You will have the opportunity to be part of a mission driven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and where you’re able to actively impact our business. Some great perks in working for Hero UK&I include:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Private Medical Insurance from day one (plus dental and optical fund)
- Life Assurance and Income Protection
- Contributory pension scheme starting with 5% employer contribution, moving to 10% with service, and access to free pension advice
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Access to Grocery Aid employee assistance resources.
- Massages & Reflexology when you are in our Bournemouth office
- Psycle Classes when you are in our London office
- Salary sacrificed schemes: Childcare support, Home & Tech, Bike to Work and Electric Car Schemes
- On-site parking at our Bournemouth Office
- Hybrid Working and Flexible Bank Holidays
- Summer hours in July and August
- Office perks including team breakfasts and lunches and snacks from all our UK brands
- Learning Opportunities and Study Leave
- Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family
Equal Opportunity Statement
Hero UK&I is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected category under applicable laws.
Senior Category Manager in London employer: Hero Group
Hero Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant cities of London and Bournemouth, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Junior Designer, you will have the opportunity to work with renowned brands while benefiting from a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on innovation and teamwork, Hero Group provides a unique platform for you to enhance your skills and make a meaningful impact in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in London
✨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 Hero Group 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 Hero Group 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 Hero Group 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 Hero Group. 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 in London
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 Hero Group. 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 Hero Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Hero Group’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 Hero Group
✨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 Hero Group 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 Hero Group, 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.
