At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth and strategy of our Out of Home business while building strong partnerships.
- 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 role that shapes the future of our brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, customer management, and strategic planning is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45149 - 55183 £ per year.
Business Area: Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages
Gatwick: Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
Attractive Salary
- 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 permanent 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 Out of Home (OOH) business, with accountability for building trusted category partnerships and developing a high-performing team.
As a Customer Category Lead - OOH, you will shape the future of our Out of Home 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 3 direct reports, your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the development and execution of 12 – 36 month Out of Home 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 OOH 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 OOH channels, customers, occasions and routes to market
- 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
- Entrepreneurial mindset, exploring opportunities such as new routes to market, field sales and activation models, strategic partnerships, direct-to-consumer opportunities and premiumisation platforms
- 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, foodservice or a comparable environment
- Deep understanding of OOH channels, customers, occasions and routes to market
- Ability to challenge existing thinking and identify opportunities to fundamentally reshape the OOH business
What you need to know
Advert posting date: 04/09/2026
Advert closing date: 18/09/2026
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
Customer Category Lead - Out of Home Channel 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 Customer Category Lead - Out of Home Channel
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Nestlé and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Nestlé are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Nestlé on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Nestlé. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Category Lead - Out of Home Channel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Nestlé. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Nestlé:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Nestlé’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nestlé
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Nestlé will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Nestlé, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
