Category Lead (12m FTC) in Bolton

Most category roles are the same job with a different logo on the door. Not this one. This brand broke through the noise on one of the most crowded shelves in UK retail. It got people talking. Loudly. And now it needs someone to turn that heat into serious UK distribution. That's the job.

Why this role? The UK crisps and snacks category is worth £4.2bn. This brand plays a pivotal role and is flying. But here's the thing. The brand has barely scratched the surface of what's available to it in the UK. This isn't a defend the turf job. It isn't a tidy-up job. It's a build-something job. A proper growth opportunity for someone who wants to put their name on a plan that actually matters.

What you'll actually be doing:

• Leading category conversations with major retailers, not presenting to them, leading with them. There's a difference.
• Building and owning the route-to-market plan for the next three years. Channels, timing, priorities, all of it.
• Managing key customer relationships at a senior level. You'll be the person buyers want in the room because you make them look good too.
• Turning category data into compelling commercial stories that open doors and accelerate ranging decisions.
• Identifying white space across channels: major mults, convenience, symbols, forecourts and making the case for why and when to go there.
• Influencing internally as much as externally. Marketing, sales, supply, you'll need all of them onside.

Who we're looking for:

• Someone who has sat across the table from a major retailer and held their own. You've built category partnerships, not just presented category data. You know how to frame an opportunity so a buyer sees it as their win, not just the brand's.
• You understand the difference between being a supplier and being a trusted category partner and you know which one gets better shelf space.
• You're commercially sharp. You can read a dataset, find the story in it, and walk into a meeting with confidence.
• You've managed customers at a senior level and you know that relationship management is half the job and the other half is making sure the numbers back you up.
• You're also someone who can prioritise. The brand has big ambitions across a lot of channels. Not everything can happen at once. The best category leaders know which doors to knock on first and why.

What we're not obsessed with:

• Your CV isn't the whole picture. We care more about how you think and how you lead than where you've been. That said, FMCG experience, a strong read of UK retail and a track record of managing customers at a meaningful level will help you hit the ground running. Category management, shopper marketing or commercial backgrounds all welcome.

How can we make the recruitment process more accessible for you? We’re always open to adjustments and welcome feedback on how we can improve the experience. Feedback matters. We aim to respond to all applications as quickly as possible because clarity, communication and respect should be a given.

Responding makes us human.