At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in foodservice by developing impactful category strategies and collaborating with teams.
- Company: Join McCain, a global family-owned company dedicated to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible holidays, a great pension scheme, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while working with passionate individuals.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Embrace hybrid working and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A variety of soft skills and experience may be required for the following role. Please ensure you check the overview below carefully.
Position Type: Temporary - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 41480
About McCain.
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.
About the role.
Reporting to the Senior Category Manager, the Category Manager plays a key role in driving growth across regional distributor customers and contract catering. This role is responsible for shaping and delivering impactful growth plans, using market, shopper, and customer insights to uncover opportunities and translate them into meaningful action.
Working in close partnership with Sales, Marketing, and the wider Category Growth team, the Category Manager brings insights to life through compelling, customer-facing plans. They take ownership of execution, tracking performance closely and adapting strategies to stay ahead of evolving market dynamics.
As a trusted partner to their customers, the Category Manager builds strong, collaborative relationships, clearly articulates the value of McCain's category propositions, and delivers data-driven recommendations that create sustainable, shared growth.
Insight Development & Foresight
- Analyse and combine data from multiple sources to generate clear, actionable insights
- Use tools such as Circana CREST to identify trends, opportunities, and risks
- Turn insights into practical recommendations that drive performance
- Stay curious and explore new technologies (e.g. AI) to improve speed and accuracy
Customer Category Growth Plans
- Develop and deliver tailored category growth strategies for distributor and contract catering customers
- Create customer-focused plans that unlock commercial opportunities
- Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and external partners to bring plans to life and optimise results
Marketing, Trade Events & Digital Effectiveness
- Plan and execute trade events, ensuring smooth delivery and effective use of resources
- Support marketing activity (e.g. product launches, menu recommendations) to deliver value for customers and consumers
- Improve and develop selling tools using data and digital solutions to increase impact
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with key foodservice customers
- Deliver clear, data-led recommendations through category reviews and presentations
- Work closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and success
What we're looking for.
- Experience in Category Management within FMCG/CPG, retail, or foodservice
- Proven track record of developing and delivering category, channel, or customer growth strategies
- Experience working cross-functionally and managing projects in fast-paced environments
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
Location.
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.
- 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
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Category Manager - Foodservice (FTC) in York employer: McCain Foods (GB) Ltd
Contact Detail:
McCain Foods (GB) Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Foodservice (FTC) in York
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the foodservice industry, especially those connected to McCain. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research McCain’s values and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of driving growth through customer obsession and collaboration. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your insights and strategies clearly, especially around category management and data-driven recommendations. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll shine during the real deal!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you top of mind!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Foodservice (FTC) in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG/CPG and how it aligns with McCain's values. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Insights: Since this role is all about data-driven decisions, don’t forget to include examples of how you've used insights to drive growth in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn data into actionable strategies!
Be Authentic: At McCain, we value authenticity. Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for foodservice and how you can contribute to our mission of making a positive impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the McCain family!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods (GB) Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into McCain's values and products. Understand their core principles like Family, Authenticity, and Quality. This will help you align your answers with what they stand for and show that you're genuinely interested in the company.
✨Showcase Your Insights
As a Category Manager, you'll need to analyse data and generate actionable insights. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully turned data into growth strategies. Use tools like Circana CREST as talking points to demonstrate your familiarity with market analysis.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your stakeholder management skills during the interview. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships in previous roles, especially in cross-functional teams. McCain values collaboration, so showing that you can work well with Sales, Marketing, and external partners will set you apart.
✨Be Curious and Adaptable
McCain is looking for someone who stays curious and embraces new technologies. Prepare to discuss how you've adapted to changes in the market or embraced new tools in your previous roles. This shows that you're not just reactive but proactive in driving growth.