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- Tasks: Lead a high-performing team to drive category growth in the grocery sector.
- Company: Global FMCG drinks brand with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, and the chance to shape industry strategies.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to develop a best-in-class team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a competitive retail environment and influence major decisions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in category management or sales, with strong grocery experience.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hull 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 Hull
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their category strategies and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your experience and how it aligns with the role of Category Controller. Highlight your successes in category management and be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Let’s get you that dream job together!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller - Grocery - Global FMCG Drinks in Hull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly 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 is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that align with our needs, like leading teams or developing category strategies, and show your passion for the soft drinks industry.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your coaching and leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've developed talent and built strong teams in the past, as this will resonate well with us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Chapter Consulting
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in the soft drinks category. Understand key metrics, market shifts, and consumer preferences. This will not only show your expertise but also help you engage in meaningful discussions with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and coaching teams. Think about specific situations where you developed talent or drove team success. This is crucial as the role involves managing a team of Grocery Category Managers.
✨Build Relationships Before You Walk In
Research the company’s key grocery customers and their buying managers. If possible, connect with them on LinkedIn or find common ground to mention during your interview. Demonstrating your understanding of their business can set you apart.
✨Prepare Insight-Led Selling Stories
Craft compelling narratives around your past successes in category management. Use data and insights to back up your claims, especially regarding how you’ve influenced category growth or executed successful NPD strategies. This will resonate well with the interviewers.