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- Tasks: Drive growth for household brands through insights, innovation, and brand activation.
- Company: Join a global FMCG manufacturer with a focus on collaboration and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of category and brand management while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: FMCG experience and strong skills in brand/category management and data analysis.
- Other info: Great chance to work closely with marketing, sales, and retail partners.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you thrive at the intersection of category insight, brand strategy, and commercial delivery? Are you confident turning shopper and consumer data (Nielsen / IRI / Kantar) into clear, actionable recommendations that influence range, merchandising, and promotional strategy with retailers? Are you looking for a step-up opportunity where you can take broader ownership across category and brand, rather than operating in a purely support role?
MacGregor Black is partnering with a global FMCG manufacturer to appoint a Category & Brand Manager — a hybrid role combining full category responsibility with end-to-end brand management. This position would suit a Junior Brand Manager, Assistant Brand Manager, or Category Executive ready to step up into a role with greater autonomy, visibility, and commercial accountability.
You will drive growth across two established household brands by connecting insight, innovation, and activation, working closely with marketing, NPD, sales, and retail partners.
Key Responsibilities- Build and execute annual brand and category plans to deliver growth, penetration, and sales uplift
- Lead brand activation across campaigns, creative, media, digital, social, and PR
- Manage the full end-to-end NPD pipeline, from insight and concept development through to launch and post-evaluation
- Leverage Nielsen / IRI / Kantar to identify category growth drivers and shape commercial strategy
- Develop compelling category stories, range recommendations, and merchandising proposals for UK retailers
- Partner closely with sales to deliver best-in-class sell-in materials and promotional plans
- Track brand and category performance against KPIs, recommending data-led optimisation
- Act as the voice of the consumer and shopper across the business
- FMCG experience is essential, ideally within food or drink manufacturing
- Experience in brand management and/or category management
- Strong capability with Nielsen / IRI / Kantar and a data-driven mindset
- Ability to build effective relationships with major UK retailers
- Commercially astute, with confidence in evaluating P&L and commercial levers
- Proactive, collaborative, and comfortable taking ownership
- Genuine ownership across both category and brand
- Broad exposure across brand, category, NPD, sales, and retail
- Opportunity to see decisions translate directly into in-store execution
- Hybrid working model with a competitive salary and benefits
If you want more information, please contact Alice Redmond.
Category Brand Manager in Watford employer: MacGregor Black
Contact Detail:
MacGregor Black Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Brand Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the FMCG industry, especially those who work with brands similar to what you're targeting. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the brands and categories you're interested in. Know their market position, recent campaigns, and how they leverage data from Nielsen, IRI, or Kantar. This will show your passion and readiness to take ownership in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. This way, you can showcase your enthusiasm for the company and potentially get noticed faster!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest and highlighting a key point from the conversation can keep you top of mind. It shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Brand Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for FMCG: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the FMCG sector shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our needs, especially in food or drink manufacturing. Make it personal and relatable!
Data is Your Best Friend: Since we’re all about turning data into actionable insights, highlight your experience with Nielsen, IRI, or Kantar. Share specific examples of how you've used data to drive brand or category strategies. Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experiences directly to what we’re looking for.
Be Authentic and Confident: Let your personality come through in your writing. We appreciate authenticity and confidence, so don’t be afraid to showcase your unique approach to brand management and category strategy. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can take ownership!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨Know Your Data
Make sure you’re well-versed in using Nielsen, IRI, and Kantar data. Prepare examples of how you've turned insights from these sources into actionable strategies in previous roles. This will show your potential employer that you can leverage data effectively to drive brand and category growth.
✨Showcase Your Brand Activation Skills
Be ready to discuss specific campaigns you've led or contributed to. Highlight your role in the creative process, media planning, and any digital or social initiatives. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to activate brands successfully.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the major UK retailers and their unique selling propositions. Be prepared to discuss how you would tailor category stories and merchandising proposals to fit their needs. This shows that you understand the market and can build effective relationships.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your knowledge of P&L statements and commercial levers. Be ready to discuss how you’ve evaluated financial performance in past roles and how you can apply this understanding to optimise brand and category performance in the new position.
