Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce in Devon, Humber
About the role
At McCain, we're feeding the world: from French fries to Smiles, we contribute to the important role food plays in people's lives. That's why we're dedicated to ensuring our core values - Family, Authentic, Trusted, and Quality - shine through every day. As a privately owned family company with over 60 years of experience, a presence in more than 160 countries, and a global team of 22,000 people, our values and culture are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that we can work together, along with our business and community partners, to bring sustainable growth and positive change today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Join us and see how you can MAKE IT at McCain!
Your Life - we're here to help you fulfil your potential, flourish, and thrive in work and life.
Your Success - work alongside passionate individuals who are committed to supporting your career ambitions, drive, and success.
Your Impact - we want you to make a meaningful, lasting impact for you, for your colleagues, and for the business.
This is a pivotal specialist role at the forefront of ecommerce growth. As Category Manager - Ecommerce Retail, you will shape and execute winning category strategies across key retail ecommerce channels, driving performance with insight-led plans that unlock growth.
You’ll own the development and delivery of category plans for Tier 1 retailers and pureplay customers, while empowering broader teams to win in Tier 2 and 3 accounts through activation playbooks, training and hands-on support. Beyond today’s platforms, you’ll help future-proof the business - accelerating digital growth across emerging channels such as Quick Commerce and Aggregators, and leading commercial thinking on ecommerce technology, innovation and retail media.
As the ecommerce category expert, you’ll partner cross-functionally to ensure plans are practical, compelling and commercially impactful. This is a highly visible, execution-driven role for someone who thrives on turning insight into action and driving growth in fast-evolving digital retail environments.
Accountabilities:- Drive Ecommerce Category Leadership with Tier 1 Retailers
- Deliver tailored, insight-led category plans that accelerate growth with priority ecommerce retailers, working in close partnership with Sales, Marketing and Category Growth teams.
- Influence and support Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with clear, data-driven recommendations that deliver against commercial objectives.
- Build trusted partnerships across customer, category and digital technology teams, acting as a go-to expert for bespoke projects and customer briefs.
- Lead test-and-learn initiatives with Tier 1 customers across evolving digital media platforms to deepen understanding of shopper journeys and improve digital media ROI.
- Build Activation Capability for Tier 2 & 3 Customers
- Design and launch customer-centric activation toolkits and training that strengthen ecommerce category management capability across Tier 2 and 3 accounts.
- Create structured processes, tools and reporting to enable Retail customer and category managers to confidently execute and optimise ecommerce plans.
- Ensure all activation activity aligns to McCain's ecommerce strategy and delivers measurable value for both customers and the business.
- Own Category Strategy for Pureplay Retailers
- Develop and execute bespoke category strategies for pureplay and online-first retailers, leveraging agility and deep digital insight.
- Provide best-in-class recommendations across media, assortment and execution, grounded in ecommerce analytics and shopper behaviour.
- Shape Growth in Quick Commerce and Aggregator Channels
- Identify and unlock category growth opportunities across emerging Quick Commerce and Aggregator platforms.
- Build frameworks that guide resource prioritisation and commercial engagement in fast-moving, high-growth channels.
- Lead Thinking on Ecommerce Technology and Retail Media
- Act as the internal authority on ecommerce innovation, including AI adoption, retail ecommerce technologies and retail media evolution.
- Assess risks and opportunities from new tools and platforms, translating insight into clear recommendations and thought leadership for the Commercial team.
Qualifications:
- 3-5 years' experience in Category Management, Ecommerce, Digital Trading or Data Analytics within FMCG/CPG or retail environments.
- A proven track record of delivering category growth, with hands-on experience executing commercial and category plans across both bricks-and-mortar and digital retail channels.
- Strong analytical capability, with confidence interpreting and applying commercial and ecommerce data from sources such as Kantar, dunnhumby, Circana (IRI/Nielsen) and relevant ecommerce data partners.
- Clear and persuasive communicator, skilled at turning complex data and trends into compelling, actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholder audiences - both verbally and visually.
- Highly collaborative and influential, with experience partnering across sales, marketing and category teams, and working directly with external retail and trading partners.
Being in the office every single day is a thing of the past. Here at McCain, we champion hybrid working. This means we don’t have a set expectation of exactly when you need to be in the office - however we do encourage our full-time, office-based people to connect in person with others for around half of their working time as that’s the best way for us to build and maintain our connections.
The benefits of working for McCain include:
- A generous Car Allowance
- An achievable yearly bonus based on personal performance.
- An excellent pension where we will pay double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your pay
- Flexible holidays - where you can buy & sell up to 5 days holiday per year
- Optional health cash plan
- Cycle to work scheme
- 'Chips In' Volunteering Day Off - to make a positive impact to the competitiveness, resilience, and long-term development of McCain communities across the globe
We are McCain: this statement is about our power collectively and our importance individually - your impact is a significant part of the business. Our winning culture focuses on authenticity and trust so we can always bring out the best in our people. Here, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive while being yourself. Join our team to see why we’re better together.
Your tasks
Drive ecommerce growth by developing winning category strategies for top retailers.
Your profile
3-5 years in Category Management or Ecommerce with strong analytical skills.
What's also included
Enjoy flexible holidays, a generous car allowance, and a great pension plan.
Tech stack & ways of working
Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce in Devon, Humber employer: McCain Foods (GB) Ltd
At McCain, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive employer that values passion and teamwork. As a Receiving/Intake Operative, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, alongside competitive benefits that enhance your work-life balance. Located in a dynamic environment, you will be part of a company that not only leads the frozen potato industry but also champions sustainability and community engagement.
View McCain Foods (GB) Ltd profile
Your perspectives
Make a real impact in the fast-evolving world of ecommerce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like McCain Foods (GB) Ltd are looking for when hiring for a Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce.
Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to McCain Foods (GB) Ltd for the Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd as a Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out McCain Foods (GB) Ltd’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Category Manager, Retail Ecommerce.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness
When you're applying for an e-commerce role at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter
Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with McCain Foods (GB) Ltd's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter
In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application
Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd
Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that McCain Foods (GB) Ltd uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
Locations
- Humber
- Devon