At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category growth and shopper insights for top customers in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Nestlé, a leader in the FMCG sector with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, car allowance, generous holidays, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value your unique needs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing business while championing diversity and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management within FMCG and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Business Area: Nestlé
Location: Gatwick – Hybrid working: 2 days per week in our Gatwick office
Attractive Salary + car allowance
- Potential, discretionary bonus
- Generous pension scheme
- 12 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement
- 2 paid volunteering days
- A focus on personal development and growth
Due to succession planning and internal moves, we are recruiting for a Senior Category Manager to join our Commercial Development team here at Nestlé. 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: We have an exciting opportunity for a talented Senior Category Manager to join our CDT “Commercial Development team” in the UKI market to champion category and shopper insights within some of our leading customers grouped by channel, driving what’s best for the category and ultimately delivering growth for both. You will provide whole category analysis, recommendations and strategic advice based on solid category and shopper insight internally and externally. We want to be "Trusted for putting the Shopper first".
Your impact: In this exciting and dynamic role within the Commercial Development Team, your role will be to lead the category and shopper agenda at a channel level. You will be responsible for leading, coaching and developing a team of Category Managers. You will manage relationships at customer level for different channels and internally across functions by leading the category and shopper capabilities to inform and inspire how we continue to drive our growth agenda.
Key responsibilities of this role will include:
- Driving Category Growth by working closely with customers and the category development team in line with Category Vision
- Developing existing and new relationships with key customers to drive strategic category initiatives
- Setting the commercial plans for your customers grouped by channel, enabling Nestlé to win in the market
- Execution of the category vision drivers to unlock the potential growth in the category based on sound shopper and category insights
- Building and developing category and shopper marketing capabilities
- Leading the integrated commercial planning process for the channel
- Team Leadership & People Development
Your ingredients for success: To be considered for this opportunity, you’ll be experienced in category management and development from within the FMCG sector. You will have experience of leading teams and developing people and have the confidence to influence people cross functionally and at a senior level.
Essential:
- Significant experience in Category Management or Category Development within FMCG
- Strong strategic capability with a track record of delivering category growth
- Flexibility and agility to solve problems rapidly and often creatively
- Proven experience of working collaboratively with colleagues to deliver exceptional results
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and translate this into insights and actionable recommendations.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with a breadth of customer insight agencies and systems
- Broader commercial or customer-facing experience.
What you need to know:
Advert posting date: 14/08/2026
Advert closing date: 28/08/2026
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
Senior Category Manager employer: Nestlé
Nestlé in the UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having access to extensive growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of digital commerce. Joining Nestlé means being part of a forward-thinking team that values data-driven decision-making and empowers its members to make a meaningful impact on the business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager
✨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 Senior Category Manager
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.
