At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category strategies and insights for cheese and dairy, influencing key retail customers.
- Company: Join Lactalis UK, a leader in the dairy industry with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression in a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact by shaping category strategies and driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Experience in category development and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Redhill, Surrey (Hybrid working - 2 days working from home per week)
Summary: Deliver insight-led category recommendations and execute customer-facing category plans across cheese & wider dairy categories; supporting the development of category strategies. Translate them into actionable range, space and in-store recommendations. Work closely with Commercial, Marketing, RGM & Innovation to build compelling category stories, support range reviews & new product launches helping to drive measurable commercial outcomes with key retail customers.
Reporting Line: Senior Category Manager
Direct Reports: None
Key Responsibilities
- Category Development & Commercial Leadership: Support the development and delivery of category strategies for selected retailers by owning defined workstreams, analysis and outputs aligned to Lactalis UK’s commercial plan. Translate market, shopper and customer insight into clear category, ranging and space recommendations that improve performance and support sustainable growth. Develop strong category knowledge across cheese and relevant dairy categories, using insight to support internal decision-making and deliver credible recommendations to customers. Support the category commercial agenda across range optimisation, distribution, space and NPD, partnering with RGM to inform pricing, promotion and trade investment recommendations across branded and own label portfolios.
- Customer & Stakeholder Influence: Support the customer category agenda by developing and delivering evidence-based category rationales, insights and recommendations to customer stakeholders. Prepare analysis and recommendations for listings, relisting & range reviews, ensuring proposals are insight-led, robust & commercially sound. Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, RGM & Innovation to embed category recommendations into customer plans and support delivery through the plan cycle. Communicate recommendations clearly through strong storytelling and insight, tailoring messages to different stakeholders and escalating risks and opportunities as needed.
- Integrated Business Planning & Delivery: Support category inputs into the Integrated Business Planning process, including demand assumptions, risks, opportunities, and scenario analysis in line with the annual budget. Deliver agreed category initiatives and actions that support volume, net sales and contribution targets for owned sub-categories, tracking performance and highlighting corrective actions. Ensure category insight and thinking inform brand planning, portfolio prioritisation and account planning processes.
- Capability & Team Contribution: Build personal capability in category management by seeking feedback, adopting best practice tools and continuously improving the quality of analysis and recommendations. Contribute to the Sales Strategy & Development team by sharing learnings, supporting peers and maintaining high standards in insight, data accuracy & executional delivery.
Key Performance Indicators
- Strategic delivery of Cheese Category Strategy with selected customers
- Improvement in customer perception of Lactalis as a category growth leader and trusted partner
- Delivery of volume, net sales and contribution targets for owned subcategories
- Successful delivery of NPD distribution and ranging objectives
- Quality and robustness of category inputs into the IBP process
Essential Skills, Experience & Knowledge
- Category Development experience in the UK grocery market or a similarly developed retail environment
- Ability to influence customer and internal stakeholders through insight-led, evidence-based recommendations
- Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into commercial action
- Good understanding of shopper, category and customer dynamics
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to create clear, compelling narratives internally and externally
Desirable Experience
- Experience leading category relationships with Top 5 grocery retailers or Co-op
- Working knowledge of retailer insight platforms such as Dunnhumby & Nectar
The job description is intended to reflect the broad responsibilities of the role. While not exhaustive, variations will be consistent with the seniority and expectations of a G7 position. Please be advised that we can only accept applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.
Category Development Manager in Redhill employer: Lactalis Ltd.
Lactalis UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in Redhill that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide ample opportunities for growth and continuous improvement, ensuring our team members thrive while delivering outstanding customer service. Join us to be part of a leading dairy and food manufacturer that values quality, teamwork, and a proactive approach to achieving excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Development Manager in Redhill
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We think you need these skills to ace Category Development Manager in Redhill
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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 Lactalis Ltd.. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
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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 Lactalis Ltd.:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Lactalis Ltd.’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 Lactalis Ltd.
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