Category Manager London en-GB

Here at innocent, we’re on a mission to make it easier for everyone to get more fruit and veg into their bodies. We started back in 1999 and since then we’ve gone from selling a few smoothies at a music festival to becoming one of Europe’s biggest drinks companies with around 1,000 people (and the B Corp seal of approval). It’s nice to be able to say things like that but we’re not patting ourselves on the back just yet. We want to show everyone that it’s possible to be a successful business while looking after people and the planet too, so we’re trying to get better in pretty much every way. And that’s where this job comes in.

We’re looking for a Category Manager to join our UK & Ireland (UKI) Go To Market (GTM) Category team, focusing on High Street, Food service and On Trade channels. This is a key role helping us grow the innocent category in places people grab drinks on the go, from coffee shops to contract caterers. You’ll bring together insights, commercial thinking and strong relationships to shape ranges, unlock growth and make sure our drinks show up in the right way, in the right places.

• Owning category strategy across High Street, Food service and On Trade customers
• Acting as the category expert for key customers like Boots, WH Smith, Costa and contract caterers
• Building strong relationships and bringing clear, category led recommendations to customers
• Supporting Sales with range reviews, new listings, tenders and Joint Business Plans (JBP)
• Leading range and space optimisation across different formats (from impulse to casual dining)
• Turning data and insights into clear, actionable plans that land in market
• Tracking performance across customers and channels, spotting risks and opportunities
• Partnering with Marketing on activation, innovation and storytelling for our Coconut Water range

You’ll have:

• A strong track record in category, insights or commercial roles within FMCG
• Experience working with customers and translating data into clear recommendations
• Confidence working across different channels and adapting your approach accordingly
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• A commercial mindset with the ability to spot growth opportunities
• The ability to simplify complex data into clear, compelling stories

You’ll get:

• Real ownership of a diverse and fast moving set of channels
• Exposure to key customers and the opportunity to shape how innocent shows up in market
• Close collaboration with Sales, Marketing and Insights teams
• The chance to influence range, space and activation decisions end to end
• Hands-on involvement in innovation and category strategy, including our Coconut Water range
• A role where your thinking directly impacts growth and customer relationships

We want innocent to be a great place to work, so we do lots of stuff to make people feel at home and try to make sure everyone’s career is shaping up the way they want it to. There are plenty of opportunities to have a go at something new or take things further. In exchange for helping us do business in the right way, you’ll get a solid rewards package that includes a salary, private healthcare, a target-based bonus, and a bunch of other nice things like a day off on your birthday. And yes, you get free smoothies.

We also know that not all our drinkers come from the same background, or think the same – so why should we? At innocent, we want to be a great place to work where a diverse bunch of people from all backgrounds can turn up and thrive. When we hire, we want all the juice, bits, and pulp that make you who you are. Even if you don’t think you can tick all the boxes, if the job sounds right for you, come and throw your hat in the ring. Probably best to get your skates on though, as we might close this early if we get loads of applications.