Category Development Manager in Tadworth

Join the team behind iconic brands like Andrex, Kleenex and Kimberly‐Clark Professional. At Kimberly‐Clark, it’s all here for your innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact. You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground‐breaking brands. In this role you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with you.

This role will be part of Kimberly‐Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly‐Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world‐class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid‐2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You’ll be part of a high‐potential business that combines Kimberly‐Clark's iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano's industrial and sustainability leadership.

As a member of the UK Category Leadership Team this role offers an exciting opportunity to develop and execute category initiatives aligned to the category vision within key retail partners. You will be responsible for engaging with our top retail partners, influencing them to adhere to our principles to deliver category growth. You will be responsible for building relationships with key retailers and influencing them to implement category initiatives. You will be required to work cross‐functionally with sales and marketing to ensure alignment of recommendations to drive profitable growth for the retailer and for Kimberly‐Clark.

To inspire key retailer partners to execute in line with Kimberly‐Clark's strategies to deliver category growth for the retailer and Kimberly‐Clark. You will utilise your exceptional understanding of key data sources and shopper insight to create compelling stories to positively influence your retailer's range, merchandising and promotional strategies.

• Support the development of category strategies and influence retailers to implement recommendations tailored to their specific needs.
• Develop and deliver effective external category selling stories, tailored by customer as required, to support new category growth initiatives with key customers.
• Develop and agree joint category plan focused on key initiatives including merchandising and promotion recommendations.
• Monitor, evaluate & communicate changes in category, customer dynamics and competitor activities and recommend actions to address issues and opportunities affecting the category and/or Kimberly‐Clark brands.
• Recommend actions to address category and/or Kimberly‐Clark issues through influencing retailer partners.

Skills and Experience:

• Strong customer focus, with ability to develop consumer‐led joint strategies.
• Excellent analytical skills with a talent to combine data sources and create the category‐led selling stories.
• Comfortable in creating highly collaborative relationships, both internal and external, with an ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to deliver powerful presentations and selling stories.
• Results‐oriented, self‐motivated and inquisitive.
• Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Experience in a commercial, customer‐facing role; at least one year within category development.
• Experience of leading range reviews and/or category projects with a top 4 multiple is essential.
• Exposure of working within the UK FMCG market would be an advantage.
• Experience of successfully forging and maintaining business relationships.
• Proven track record of interpreting data and delivering business results.
• Expert user of Microsoft Excel and Nielsen / IRI systems essential. Familiarity with other category tools is favourable.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
• Degree‐level education or equivalent preferred, but not essential.

For Kimberly‐Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly‐Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position. Employment is subject to verification of local policies. This role is available for local candidates already authorized to work in the UK only. Kimberly‐Clark will not provide relocation support for this role.

Primary Location: Walton Oaks