At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth and transformation of Grocery & eCommerce strategies.
- Company: Join Nestlé, a global leader in premium beverages with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, car allowance, generous holidays, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of our brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong leadership skills, and strategic vision required.
The predicted salary is between 48150 - 58850 £ per year.
Business Area: Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages
Customer Category Lead – Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract
Gatwick: Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
Attractive Salary
Some of our other fantastic benefits:
- Car Allowance
- Potential, discretionary annual bonus
- Generous pension scheme
- 12 flexible days on top of 25 days annual holiday entitlement pro rata
- 2 paid volunteering days
- 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 as we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working needs, don’t let this stop you from applying.
Position Summary: Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is a standalone, globally managed business within the Nestlé Group. The company serves consumers in more than 100 markets with a portfolio of more than 35 brands, including S.Pellegrino, Perrier, Acqua Panna, Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks, Maison Perrier, Buxton, Essentia, Levissima, La Vie and Nestlé Pure Life. Building on its heritage and expertise in waters, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages (NW & PB) is focused on growth in premium and better-for-you beverages, creating value for consumers, customers and stakeholders. Water stewardship is central to the business. Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is proud to be the only beverage company with all its bottling sites certified to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard. Working with local communities, experts and partners around the world, the company helps protect and restore water resources while supporting long-term environmental resilience.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Customer Category Lead to join our Commercial Development Team (CDT) to lead the future growth, transformation and brand-building agenda of our Grocery & eCommerce business, with accountability for building trusted category partnerships and developing a high-performing team.
As a Customer Category Lead - Grocery & eCommerce, you will shape the future of our Grocery & eCommerce business by developing and activating category and channel strategies that drive sustainable growth, create value for customers, and strengthen our brands across a wide range of consumption occasions. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of our business while helping our brands win in the moments that matter most.
Your impact: Reporting to the Head of CDT and leading a team of 5 direct reports, your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the development and execution of 12 – 36 month Grocery & eCommerce channel strategies that unlock growth opportunities across diverse customer environments
- Driving category growth, premiumisation and value creation through customer-focused insight and strategic planning
- Partnering with senior customer stakeholders to build trusted relationships and create sustainable category growth plans
- Delivering compelling category recommendations that transform insight into actionable commercial opportunities and winning execution
- Leading cross-functional collaboration to align business priorities, optimise performance and bring strategic plans to life
- Leading the Integrated Commercial Planning (ICP) process from an OOH perspective, connecting Market Business Strategy (MBS) ambitions to annual priorities, Must Win Battles and executable customer plans
- Building and inspiring a high-performing Customer Category team with capability in shopper insight, OOH dynamics, commercial storytelling and strategic influence.
Your ingredients for success: The successful candidate will demonstrate breadth of Grocery & eCommerce experience, transformational leadership, brand-building capability, customer influence and strategic vision required to unlock the next phase of growth for NW&PB.
Key skills and attributes will include:
- Essential:
- Significant commercial, category development, customer management and channel strategy experience within FMCG
- Demonstrated experience shaping and activating customer or channel strategies, influencing senior stakeholders and turning insight into executable commercial plans
- Relevant experience of working in Grocery and ecommerce channels and customers
- Strong leadership capability, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and delivering results through others.
- Experience leading change within complex, matrix organisations and influencing senior stakeholders internally and externally
- Evidence of strategic thinking, customer partnership, commercial judgement and the agility to solve complex problems creatively and at pace
- Strong record of cross-functional leadership and delivery of exceptional results through collaboration, challenge and shared ownership
- Desirable:
- Commercial and category development experience ideally within beverages
- Deep understanding of Grocery & ecommerce channels and customers
- Ability to challenge existing thinking and identify opportunities to fundamentally reshape the Grocery and ecommerce business
What you need to know:
Advert posting date: 18/09/2026
Advert closing date: 03/10/2026
We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.
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.
We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity. We proudly signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, are committed to Disability Confidence, and have been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for gender equality for three consecutive years. Additionally, we are a headline partner of Diversity and Inclusion in grocery.
To find out more about Nestle’s commitment to DEI: Nestlé's Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
To find out more about your recruitment journey with Nestle: Recruitment Journey | Nestlé UK & Ireland
Category Development Lead - Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract employer: Nestlé
Nestlé is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the New Business Development team. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a significant impact in the Out-Of-Home sector, all while being part of a globally recognised brand committed to sustainability and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Development Lead - Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
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!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
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!
✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Development Lead - Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract
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 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 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
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Nestlé, 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 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 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, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
