At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and execute strategic direction for product categories to drive growth and market leadership.
- Company: Join a fast-growing global biscuits and confectionery business with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Inclusive workplace, opportunities for growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on learning and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that brings happiness through quality products and innovative strategies.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and experience in category management or commercial operations.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the Role
Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.
To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose led, resilient and positive. We expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.
What will this role achieve?
The Category Strategy Manager is responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction of product categories to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and market leadership. This role combines strategic thinking, commercial acumen, insights & analysis, and cross functional collaboration to deliver category excellence across multiple channels. Working as part of the Commercial Excellence team and reporting to the Head of Category Strategy, the role bridges Sales & Marketing to develop and lead multi year category strategies.
What will be your key deliverables?
- Develop Category Vision & Strategies: Work with the Head of Category Strategy to create our category vision in priority categories such as Savoury, Sweet and Confectionery; help to define the strategic role of each category within the portfolio, including innovation, pricing, and promotional architecture; support the creation & execution of multi year category strategies aligned with business objectives and customer needs.
- Develop Category Growth Drivers: Provide a clear narrative for Cat Dev to take externally to customers.
- Setting Consistent Standards & Narratives: Set Point of Purchase Standards by channel & category via the creation of category playbooks; influence macro space positively for pladis categories directly with key customers, and with CatDev to execute across channels and retailers; develop POV narrative for major macro retail challenges (e.g. LHF / GLP 1); provide customer centric shopper narratives aligned to pladis plans for CatDev to tailor by customer.
- Cross Functional Collaboration: Partner with the marketing team to ensure category & pladis opportunities are realised by influencing both the NPD pipeline & shopper/consumer marketing activities & choices; partner with Commercial Operations to optimise pricing, pack architecture, and trade investment; work closely with Marketing, Sales, Insights, Finance, Cat Dev and Supply Chain to ensure integrated commercial plans are developed and delivered; work with Brand & Commercial Excellence to advise on pladis NPD, including distribution & ROS assumptions in consultation with CatDev on specific customers.
- Insights & Analysis: Leverage consumer, shopper, and market insights to inform category strategy and drive data led decision making; ensure a unified approach to business insights, reducing silos and promoting one version of the truth.
- Team Contribution: Actively support capability building within the category strategy function; contribute to a high performance culture through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
- Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market.
- Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background.
- Ideally minimum of 2 years category management (or commercial / commercial operations) experience.
- Strategic mindset - capable of transforming brands from products into compelling consumer experiences and scalable growth platforms.
- Proven ability to analyse complex data sets and turn them into clear and useful insights that translate into actionable strategies.
- Storytelling - strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery.
- Good relationship building skills with partners.
- Proficient knowledge of data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby.
- Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- Knowledge of consumer behaviour, shopper & retail dynamics, and market trends.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office products.
Equal Opportunity
pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we're a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that's as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
Category Strategy Manager employer: Job Search Place Limited
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where entrepreneurial spirits thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our investment in training and development, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working with iconic global brands in the biscuits and confectionery sector. Join us in our mission to bring happiness to consumers, and enjoy the benefits of collaboration, accountability, and a clear vision for success in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Strategy Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research pladis, their brands, and their values. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your passion for bringing happiness to consumers and how you fit into their ambitious vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. This could give you insider knowledge that sets you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for behavioural questions! Think of examples from your past that showcase your resilience, collaboration, and strategic mindset. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the pladis family. Let’s bring happiness together!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Strategy Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your passion for category strategy and consumer happiness aligns with our mission at pladis.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in category management and strategic thinking. We love seeing how your background fits into our vision for growth and innovation!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at pladis.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Categories
Dive deep into the categories you'll be managing, like Savoury and Sweet. Understand the market trends, consumer behaviour, and how pladis positions itself within these segments. This knowledge will help you articulate a clear vision during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Bring examples of how you've transformed complex data sets into actionable strategies. This will demonstrate your capability to leverage insights for category growth.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working cross-functionally. Discuss how you've partnered with marketing, sales, and other teams to achieve common goals. This aligns with pladis's emphasis on collaboration and will show you're a team player.
✨Communicate with Impact
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to present your ideas clearly and persuasively, as strong communication is key for this role. Use examples from your past to illustrate how you've influenced stakeholders and driven results.
