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- Tasks: Lead a high-performing team to drive grocery category growth and influence major retailers.
- Company: Global FMCG drinks brand with a focus on innovation and strategic partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, and the chance to shape industry strategies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a competitive market while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in category management or sales, with strong grocery experience.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and contribute to shaping the future of soft drinks.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Category Management Lead – Grocery to lead a high-performing team and deliver best-in-class soft drinks category management across key UK grocery customers. This role is responsible for building deep, strategic partnerships with major grocery retailers, driving category growth ahead of the market, and delivering “perfect store” execution with a strong focus on main placement.
You will operate at senior customer level, influencing Buying Managers, Heads of Merchandising and Category Directors, while shaping long-term category strategy and future-facing thought leadership.
Key Responsibilities- Lead & Coach the Grocery Category Team
- Lead, coach and develop a team of 4 Grocery Category Managers (overall team of 8)
- Build technical category expertise and coach individuals to their strengths.
- Create a strong talent pipeline for future category and commercial roles.
- Develop & Deliver Grocery Category Strategy
- Own and lead the grocery-specific category strategy in partnership with the Grocery Channel Manager.
- Develop category principles, projects and plans and deploy them across the channel.
- Drive availability and distribution agendas using store-level data and insights.
- Soft Drinks Category Expertise
- Be the soft drinks expert across core and emerging sub-categories.
- Use world-class shopper and sales insights to grow total category performance ahead of market.
- Stay ahead of market trends, regulation and industry changes (e.g. HFSS, DRS, Soft Drinks Industry Levy).
- NPD & Innovation
- Lead the delivery of the NPD pipeline within grocery.
- Use channel-specific data to influence innovation strategy.
- Ensure strong, insight-led selling stories and competitive distribution at launch.
- Senior Customer Engagement
- Build and manage multi-tier relationships across key customers, including: Buying Managers, Heads of Merchandising, Category Directors.
- Influence long-term, strategic decisions that go beyond individual sub-categories.
- Leadership Within Customer Marketing
- Be a key leader within the Customer Marketing leadership team.
- Contribute to overall commercial strategy, team culture and people development.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in category management, sales or retail.
- Strong customer-facing background.
- Grocery experience is essential.
Skills & Attributes:
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
- Confident senior-level influencer.
- Excellent coaching and people leadership skills.
- Highly analytical with strong insight capability.
This is a high-impact leadership role with national responsibility, offering the opportunity to shape the future of the soft drinks category in one of the most competitive retail environments. You’ll work at the forefront of category strategy, influence major commercial decisions, and develop a best-in-class team.
Category Controller - Grocery - Global FMCG Drinks in Dartford employer: New Chapter Consulting
Contact Detail:
New Chapter Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Controller - Grocery - Global FMCG Drinks in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to walk in with insights about their category strategy and how you can contribute to their growth. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to confidently explain how your experience aligns with their needs. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror until you feel like a superstar.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller - Grocery - Global FMCG Drinks in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Category Management Lead – Grocery. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive growth and influence key stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your strategic thinking and customer engagement skills, and don’t forget to mention your passion for the soft drinks category!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your coaching and leadership experiences. Share specific examples of how you've developed talent and driven team success in 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 get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Chapter Consulting
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the soft drinks category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and market dynamics. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful discussions about category strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and coaching teams. Think of specific situations where you developed talent or drove team performance. This is crucial as the role requires strong people leadership skills.
✨Understand the Customer Landscape
Research the major grocery retailers you'll be working with. Understand their business models, challenges, and how they approach category management. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can build strategic partnerships and influence key decision-makers.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Insights and Data
Since the role demands a highly analytical mindset, prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive category growth in the past. Bring examples of insights you've gathered and how they influenced your strategies, especially in relation to NPD and innovation.
