At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive coffee category growth and shopper engagement.
- Company: Join Nestlé, a global leader in the coffee industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-energy role that shapes coffee strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in sales, marketing, or category management, ideally in FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 72450 - 85000 £ per year.
Business Area: Nestlé UK&I - Coffee
Location: Gatwick (Hybrid working – min. 2 days a week in the office)
Salary: £72,450 to £85,000 pro rata depending on experience
- Potential, discretionary annual bonus
- 12 flexible days on top of 25 days annual holiday entitlement pro rata
- A focus on personal development and growth
Although this is a full-time temporary opportunity, please speak to us about what flexibility means to you. We are always open to discussing individual flexible working needs, so please don’t let this stop you from applying.
Position Summary
Our UK&I Coffee team is recruiting for a Customer Category & Shopper Activation Lead to join the Commercial Development Team (CDT) on a secondment basis, reporting to the Commercial Development Team Director. At Coffee, we believe there is a cup of coffee for everyone, and our ambition is to lead the way for coffee lovers in the UK, with our brands continuing to grow household penetration and relevance across occasions.
In this exciting and high impact commercial leadership role, you will lead a combined team of Customer Category Managers and Shopper Marketing Managers covering the full Coffee portfolio (Nescafé, Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Starbucks) across Grocery, Convenience, Discounter and Online channels. You will be responsible for the category strategy, in-store & online shopper investment budget and delivery of profitable category growth.
Your Impact
As a member of the CDT Leadership Team, you will lead a team of Customer Category Managers and Shopper Marketing Managers to unlock the Category, Channel and Shopper opportunities for the Coffee portfolio - influencing Customer thinking and actions whilst purposefully changing shopper purchase behaviour across the omni-channel journey to drive profitable category growth ahead of the competition.
You will:
- Lead the translation of the Zone Coffee Category strategy into a UK&I strategy with clearly identified and quantified opportunities and the activities required to unlock the category drivers.
- Lead the omni-channel thinking that enables the team to write category and commercial plans which unlock category and commercial opportunities across in-store and online.
- Drive distribution, range, space and placement to deliver effective growth for Coffee at the Point of Purchase, and lead broader improvement opportunities (e.g. visual impact, Perfect Store).
- Lead the development of insight-led shopper marketing strategy, campaigns and toolkits that convert shoppers to Coffee in store and online, working with brand teams to land key initiatives.
- Make Shopper Marketing investment work smarter through systematic planning, execution and review, ensuring the best possible ROI and insight to continually improve performance and efficiency.
- Build effective and rewarding internal & external relationships - be the key point of contact for Customers, brand teams and agencies, briefing creative, retailer and production partners to completion.
- Shape future business strategy by leading the Coffee Integrated Commercial Planning (ICP) process to ensure our plans deliver our core business objectives of share, profit & OG.
- Coach and develop the Customer Category and Shopper Marketing team to be a highly effective team - bringing the outside in and building capability across both category and shopper disciplines.
Your Ingredients for Success
To be successful, you will bring broad commercial experience across Sales / Marketing / Channel Category Sales Development (CCSD) / Category & Shopper Marketing, providing a strong strategic mindset and understanding of the UK grocery, convenience, discount and online retail channels, ideally within Coffee or FMCG.
You will be an energised, results-driven leader who can connect insights into credible commercial and shopper strategies that get executed across teams internally and externally, and who can credibly engage at senior levels with customers, brand teams and agencies.
You will also:
- Be motivated to contribute to the positive, inclusive culture we are building within Coffee CDT and the wider Coffee team, where people feel inspired and safe to speak up.
- Have a proven track record of developing insight-led category strategies and shopper marketing campaigns (in store and online) that deliver measurable growth.
- Have the ability to step back and see the bigger picture, combined with strong analytical capability to turn insight and data into compelling stories.
- Understand and role‑model the importance of the triple win – Customer, Shopper and Nestlé.
- Proactively leverage the strength of our brands, people and resources to unlock growth opportunities and bring our Coffee Vision to life.
What you need to know
We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants. At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.
Customer Category & Shopper Activation Lead in Crawley employer: Nestlé S.A.
Nespresso is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Nottingham that champions diversity and inclusion. With competitive pay, part-time flexibility, and unique benefits like a complimentary Nespresso machine, employees are empowered to grow within a brand known for its commitment to quality and innovation. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your professional development while delivering a premium customer experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Category & Shopper Activation Lead in Crawley
✨Dive into Local Events
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Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
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Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!
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We think you need these skills to ace Customer Category & Shopper Activation Lead in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Nestlé S.A. from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Nestlé S.A. specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nestlé S.A.
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Nestlé S.A., your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Nestlé S.A. you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Nestlé S.A. that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Nestlé S.A., so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
