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- Tasks: Lead a high-performing team to drive grocery category growth and influence major retail decisions.
- 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 dynamic environment and lead the future of soft drinks.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in category management or sales, with strong grocery experience.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture that values talent development and strategic thinking.
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 Manchester 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 Manchester
✨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 that show you’re not just another candidate, but someone who understands the market and can contribute to their grocery category strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to confidently communicate your experience and how it aligns with the role. 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 for the role 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 Manchester
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 grocery expertise. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your strategic thinking and leadership skills. Tell us why you’re passionate about the soft drinks category and how you can drive growth. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve driven category performance or influenced key decisions. Numbers speak volumes!
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Chapter Consulting
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the soft drinks category. Understand current trends, key players, and market dynamics. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential leader in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your coaching style and how you've developed talent within your team. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide others will be crucial.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
If possible, try to connect with someone from the company or industry beforehand. This could give you insights into their culture and expectations. Plus, it shows initiative and a genuine interest in building relationships, which is key for this role.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Think of thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their current category strategy or how they see the market evolving. Asking insightful questions not only shows your interest but also your strategic thinking capabilities.
