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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse market data, drive distribution, and create impactful shopper activation plans.
- Company: Join McCain Foods, a global leader in the food industry with strong family values.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible holidays, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in data analysis and category management within FMCG preferred.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Position Title
Category Manager, Retail
Location
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Job Type
Regular – Full Time
About McCain Foods
At McCain, we’re feeding the world: from French fries to smiles, we contribute to the important role food plays in people\’s lives. 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.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Category Manager to become a trusted partner for our core categories and the frozen food market. You’ll play a pivotal role in turning consumer, market, and customer insights into real actions that unlock growth, while building strong relationships with both internal teams and external retail partners, particularly the major four multiples. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who thrives on data, strategy, and collaboration – and who can bring passion and personality to every conversation.
Responsibilities
- Analyse market and consumer data to spot trends, generate insights and translate them into growth opportunities.
- Work closely with the sales team to drive distribution and deliver against commercial plans.
- Build trusted relationships with customers, delivering impactful category reviews, range reviews and NPD sell‑ins.
- Partner with ecommerce and commercial teams to develop and deliver online growth plans.
- Create and execute shopper activation plans aligned with McCain’s Category Vision.
- Act as the category partner for a defined product area, ensuring insight‑driven strategy, successful NPD launches and effective activation.
Qualifications
- Experience analysing and interpreting data, and turning it into actionable recommendations.
- A background in Category Management within FMCG is ideal.
- Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
- A clear understanding of route‑to‑market processes and shopper behaviour.
- The ability to manage projects, juggle priorities, and deliver results with pace.
- A curious, collaborative and resilient mindset, with a genuine customer focus.
- Experience with data providers such as Circana, Kantar, Dunnhumby, Retail Link and shopper marketing activity is an advantage.
Benefits
- Annual bonus based on personal performance.
- Excellent pension with employer matching up to 12% of pay.
- Flexible holidays – buy & sell up to 5 days holiday per year.
- Optional health cash plan.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- ‘Chips In’ volunteering day off.
Hybrid Working
Being in the office every single day is a thing of the past. Here at McCain, we champion hybrid working – there is no set expectation of exactly when you need to be in the office. However we encourage full‑time, office‑based people to connect in person for around half of their working time. Our head office (Customer Experience Centre) is on the outskirts of Scarborough – 1.5 hours away from Leeds City Centre and about an hour from York.
Job Family and Department
Job Family: Sales
Division: GB Commercial Retail
Department: Category Development Team 3
Equal Opportunity
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 recognise 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, colour, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Accessibility
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. You can understand how your personal information is being handled herein.
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Category Manager, Retail employer: McCain Foods
Contact Detail:
McCain Foods Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager, Retail
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research McCain Foods, their values, and recent projects. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role as a Category Manager. Plus, it could lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to category management and data analysis. Think of examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in building relationships and driving growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager, Retail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in analysing market data and building relationships, as these are key for us at McCain. We want to see how your skills align with our values!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your background in FMCG makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your customer-focused mindset!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since we love data-driven insights, make sure to showcase any experience you have with data providers like Circana or Kantar. Give us examples of how you've turned data into actionable recommendations in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the McCain family!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods
✨Know Your Data
As a Category Manager, you'll need to analyse market and consumer data. Brush up on your data interpretation skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've turned insights into actionable recommendations in your previous roles.
✨Build Relationships
McCain values strong relationship-building skills. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with internal teams or external stakeholders. Prepare to share how you’ve influenced decisions and driven results through these relationships.
✨Understand Shopper Behaviour
Familiarise yourself with route-to-market processes and shopper behaviour. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used this knowledge to create effective category strategies or shopper activation plans in the past.
✨Show Your Curiosity
McCain is looking for a curious and resilient mindset. During the interview, express your eagerness to learn and adapt. Share instances where your curiosity led to innovative solutions or improvements in your work.
