At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a consumer-first category strategy and drive shopper insights.
- Company: Join a fast-growing health and wellness brand committed to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; all backgrounds encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Shape strategic decisions and influence growth in a pivotal role with real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior Category or Insights roles within FMCG; strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 € per year.
Manchester (Hybrid | 3 days a week) £75,000-£85,000 + Benefits
Lime Talent is proud to partner with a fast-growing health and wellness brand in their search for a Head of Category & Insights. This newly created position will be instrumental in shaping their future growth strategy and driving deeper shopper understanding across all retail partners.
The Role:
This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with real influence, where you’ll lead the development of a consumer-first category strategy. The business has historically been product-led but is now pivoting to a data-driven, shopper-focused approach. This is a standalone role to begin with, focused on building the category and insights function from the ground up. While it’s an individual contributor role initially, it sits on the senior leadership team and will play a key part in shaping strategic decisions across the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead category strategy across all key retail accounts, balancing short and long-term initiatives.
- Act as the voice of the shopper, drawing on multiple insight sources to inform decisions across NPD, pricing, merchandising, and packaging.
- Partner with retailers to deliver joint business plans and lead collaborative category reviews.
- Utilise data tools (IRI, Kantar, EPOS, etc.) to build dashboards and performance reporting that highlight opportunities and risks.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product, and Supply Chain teams to embed category thinking across the business.
About You:
- Proven experience in a senior Category, Insights, or Shopper Marketing role within FMCG or consumer goods.
- Strong commercial acumen and a track record of influencing strategy with major retailers.
- Highly analytical with excellent knowledge of shopper and panel data tools (IRI, Kantar, EPOS, etc.).
- Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and working in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment.
- Strong communicator, confident in presenting to senior stakeholders and buyers.
- Experience building dashboards and working with Excel, Power BI, etc.
If you’re looking to join a high-growth brand and play a pivotal role in shaping its consumer and retail strategy, we’d love to hear from you.
We are committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a variety of viewpoints fosters innovation and strengthens teams. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category & Insights in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in consumer goods and health and wellness. Understanding the market landscape will help you speak confidently about how you can influence category strategy during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience in category management or insights roles. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data tools like IRI or Kantar to drive strategic decisions. Being able to articulate your analytical skills will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate cross-functionally by preparing anecdotes that highlight successful partnerships with sales, marketing, or product teams. This will demonstrate your fit for a role that requires strong communication and teamwork.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category & Insights in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Category & Insights position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in category strategy, insights, and shopper marketing. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and commercial acumen, particularly in the FMCG or consumer goods sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the health and wellness industry. Discuss how your background and skills make you the ideal candidate for this role, and mention your familiarity with data tools like IRI and Kantar.
Highlight Collaborative Experience:In your application, emphasise any experience you have working cross-functionally with teams such as Sales, Marketing, and Product. This will demonstrate your ability to embed category thinking across the business, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lime Talent
✨Understand the Company and Its Market
Before your interview, take the time to research the health and wellness brand thoroughly. Understand their products, target market, and recent developments in the consumer goods sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your insights with their business goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Given the emphasis on data-driven decision-making, be prepared to discuss your experience with analytical tools like IRI, Kantar, and Power BI. Bring examples of how you've used data to influence category strategies or improve performance in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to lead category strategy and collaborate with retailers. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully implemented a category strategy or navigated challenges in a hands-on environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As this role involves presenting to senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated insights and influenced decisions in past roles, showcasing your ability to be the 'voice of the shopper'.
