Senior Manager, Category Insights

MABUK is committed to becoming the leading RTD supplier in the UK and a total beverage provider. This ambition will be realised through the growth and diversification of our portfolio and distribution channels, strategically delivering these advancements in a collaborative manner, creating value for both our trade partners and end consumers.

To support our ambitious growth trajectory, we are seeking an experienced Senior Category Manager with a background in drinks to join our team. This individual will play a key role in accelerating our business growth across the beverages market in the UK & wider EMEAA region. We are looking for an ambitious and talented individual, who is adept at quickly building strong relationships both internally and externally, an entrepreneur who is looking to disrupt the “giants” within the beverage market with our innovative portfolio.

This individual will be experienced in launching, developing and expanding both existing and new business with the major UK grocery multiples. Working within the UK Commercial team and in close partnership with our Marketing and Commercial teams, you will be responsible for crafting and delivering compelling sales narratives for our brand portfolio, driving new listings, expanding distribution and exceeding share of space and voice within the UK grocery sector.

Beyond the UK, this role will have the responsibility for building market insights in our key European markets (Ireland, Switzerland, Thailand) working directly with our Distributor Partners to gain the data, analyse it and build consistent reporting/insights across these markets (specifically at monthly/quarterly reviews). Armed with this data and market insights you will be able to create Pan European selling stories, insights to support with the regional objectives – Innovation, Ranging, Distribution.

As the Senior Category Manager for the region, you will also have the chance to support the GM EMEA with specific regional planning and initiatives including business planning, identifying opportunity spaces and building a regional positioning for Mark Anthony and our global leadership in Flavour. This role will take accountability for the EMEA market data needs, responsible for the budget and key outputs from suppliers (including direct market insight learning days, reports, quarterly reviews).

Key Responsibilities UK

• Drive the scaling of both established and emerging brands in this priority market.
• Develop and implement Category Management strategies to drive brand performance & growth.
• Analyse market trends, shopper behaviours and competitors activity to identify new opportunities.
• Own and deliver insightful category, brand and NPD reporting, making recommendations to adjust strategy where needed.
• Leadership role in the core growth, innovation and execution of our beverage portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail partners.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align category plans with overall business objectives.
• Lead the category strategy and plan for the UK.

Key Responsibilities EUROPE

• Vendor management: budgeting, appointing and scoping.
• Monthly market reporting – internal and external.
• Regional sales presentations: White Claw opportunity, Innovation, Range extensions.
• Regional category approach: Mark Anthony’s positioning as leaders of flavour.
• Specific GM Tasks: Business planning (situational analysis, market opportunity assessments).

• Ability to build and execute category strategies – to make real category change in market.
• Proven experience in securing product listings and building brand presence within key retail and grocery channels within beverages.
• A strong track record of successfully launching and growing beverage brands.
• A strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Deep knowledge of the BWS/beverage category, including market trends and consumer preferences.
• Established network of relationships with major retailers and distributors.
• Ability to influence key decision-makers to secure and expand product placements.
• A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to drive product visibility and accelerate sales in competitive markets.
• Strong commercial understanding – ability to understand buyers, their drivers – margins, brand investment criteria to punch above your weight.

• Multi-market experience and understanding.
• Ability to build strategies that can work across markets and be adapted to different markets.
• Experience in constructing opportunity assessments and business planning.
• Consumer insights experience – including equity data, comms & product testing.

The successful candidate will

• Have achieved success in the BWS/beverage category, with a strong drive to advance within an innovative, fast-moving company.
• Understand industry demands and know how to build successful partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Category growth strategy and plan.
• Own the development of our selling stories for the UK – core and innovation.
• Develop and implement performance tracking and scorecarding for the UK.
• Passionate about delivering high performance, with attention to detail and a focus on earning respect and influence.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with national grocery accounts, aligning MABUK’s strategy with their needs for mutual growth.
• Lead the creation and execution of account-specific strategies to drive sales, profitability, and category growth.
• Identify and support new business opportunities within key accounts and the broader market.
• Monitor account performance, analyse trends, and identify opportunities to optimise sales and profitability.
• Manage Data partner contract renewals and ensure terms align with company goals.
• Collaborate with marketing, category management, supply chain, and finance teams to deliver tailored solutions.
• Provide customer feedback to Commercial and marketing teams to improve offer.
• Prepare and deliver financial and performance reports to senior management.
• Manage Category Insights Budget effectively within budget.
• Regularly update senior leadership on category & channel health, trends, and growth opportunities.
• Act as an advocate for the category within the organization, ensuring feedback is communicated and solutions implemented.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in sales, account management, or category management within FMCG, retail, or the grocery sector, with 5+ years specifically in Category Management and BWS.
• Advantageous to have BWS experience specifically within the RTD Category.
• Demonstration of being hands-on and making things happen…a trendsetter & disruptor in categories!
• In-depth understanding of consumer behaviour and market trends, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Proven success in influencing and driving impactful change in key grocery retailers (supermarkets, grocery chains, wholesalers).
• Expertise in B2B relationships and driving commercial growth in FMCG.
• Experience in budget management, contract negotiations and growing agency partnership relationships.
• Passion for the FMCG industry and a strong commitment to Mark Anthony Brands—its people, products, and values.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• A collaborative team player with commercial awareness.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, IRI (or Nielsen) and other relevant IT tools.
• Reliable, enthusiastic, and highly organised.

Education

• A degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, Economics, or Supply Chain Management would be advantageous.