At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Speciality Bread category, shaping strategy and driving growth.
- Company: Join a collaborative and ambitious FMCG business focused on category growth.
- Benefits: Ownership of key projects, cross-functional collaboration, and international travel opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with visibility and influence on business performance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while working with talented teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
We’re looking for a commercially minded and insight‑driven Category Manager to lead our Speciality Bread category. This is a high‑impact, cross‑functional role where you’ll shape strategy, influence stakeholders, and drive growth across our retail channel and beyond. Acting as the voice of your category, you’ll turn data into actionable insights, align teams across Sales, Operations, and Marketing, and build compelling strategies that deliver both consumer value and commercial success.
Location: Bedford / Milton Keynes
Function: Marketing
Reports to: Head of Category & Insight
What you’ll be doing
- Category Strategy & Leadership
- Own and deliver the end‑to‑end category strategy for Speciality Bread
- Translate global direction into a strong UK growth plan
- Create clear, actionable roadmaps with defined priorities and outcomes
- Act as the go‑to expert for your category internally and externally
- Collaboration & Influence
- Partner closely with Sales, Operations, and Marketing teams to align plans
- Build trusted, objective relationships with customers alongside Sales
- Coordinate projects and tenders across functions
- Represent your category within the wider business and global network
- Insight & Innovation
- Use market, shopper, and consumer data to inform category decisions
- Shape innovation pipelines and ensure NPD is insight‑led
- Build compelling, customer‑focused sell‑in stories
- Translate trends into clear, actionable recommendations
- Performance & Portfolio Management
- Manage the product portfolio to drive volume, margin, and profitability
- Identify opportunities to simplify ranges and improve performance
- Monitor category performance and adjust strategy accordingly
- Support operational efficiency and capability development
- Market Intelligence
- Analyse competitors and market dynamics
- Provide insights to support decision‑making and category growth
What we’re looking for
- Experience
- Proven experience within FMCG, ideally in a commercial or category role
- Demonstrated success driving commercial performance and P&L growth
- Experience working cross‑functionally and managing multiple stakeholders
- Background in retail; food, bakery, or foodservice experience is a plus
- Skills & Capabilities
- Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to translate data into action
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery
- Confident managing complexity and competing priorities
- Highly collaborative with a relationship‑driven approach
What will set you apart
- Passion for food – especially bakery!
- Curiosity for market trends and consumer behaviour
- A proactive mindset with a drive to deliver results
What to expect
- Working between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Opportunity to work cross‑functionally and internationally (including travel within Europe when required)
- A role with real ownership, visibility, and impact on business performance
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a collaborative and ambitious business where category thinking is central to growth. You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategy, work with talented teams, and take ownership of a key category in a fast‑moving FMCG environment.
Category Manager – Speciality Bread employer: Lantmännen Unibake
Join a dynamic and ambitious team as a Category Manager for Speciality Bread, where your insights will directly shape strategy and drive growth in a collaborative environment. Located between Bedford and Milton Keynes, you'll enjoy cross-functional opportunities, international exposure, and the chance to make a significant impact on business performance while working alongside talented professionals who share your passion for food and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Speciality Bread
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them grow, especially in the Speciality Bread category. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your experience and how it aligns with the role of Category Manager. Highlight your analytical skills and ability to turn data into actionable insights. Make sure you can confidently explain how you’ll drive growth and influence stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to the exciting world of FMCG.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Speciality Bread
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager for Speciality Bread. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive commercial performance and manage cross-functional teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food, especially bakery, and how your skills align with our needs. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've turned data into actionable insights in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from including examples where you've used market or consumer data to inform decisions. We want to see how you can translate complex data into clear strategies that drive growth.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lantmännen Unibake
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Speciality Bread category. Understand current trends, key players, and consumer preferences. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for food and your ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with Sales, Operations, and Marketing teams in the past. Highlight specific projects where your influence led to positive outcomes. This will show that you can effectively manage multiple stakeholders and drive growth.
✨Bring Data to Life
Be ready to discuss how you've used market and consumer data to inform decisions. Prepare a few case studies where your analytical skills led to significant improvements in performance or innovation. This will illustrate your ability to turn data into compelling stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion and Curiosity
Let your enthusiasm for bakery and food shine through during the interview. Share insights about market trends and consumer behaviour that excite you. A proactive mindset and genuine interest in the category will set you apart from other candidates.
