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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.
Home Based
Global FMCG Drinks brand
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.
Why This Role?
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 Preston 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 Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Show us you know your stuff about the grocery sector and soft drinks trends – it’ll impress the hiring managers!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to hear how you can lead and coach a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller - Grocery - Global FMCG Drinks in Preston
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 for our brand.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in driving category growth or managing teams. We love numbers and results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Let’s get started on this journey together!
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 will demonstrate your capability to lead a high-performing team effectively.
✨Build Relationships in Your Answers
Since this role involves engaging with senior customer levels, practice how you would build relationships with Buying Managers and Category Directors. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you've influenced strategic decisions and fostered partnerships.
✨Be Data-Driven
Come equipped with insights and data that showcase your analytical skills. Discuss how you've used store-level data to drive category growth or influence innovation strategies. This will underline your ability to make informed decisions and stay ahead of market trends.
