Category Manager in Blackburn

The Pet Food Category is worth more than £4bn in the UK.

The Pet Care Market is an exciting and buoyant category seeing growth +8%

PETS CHOICE are one of the fastest growing Pet Food manufacturers in the UK, growing ahead of the Market +12% and we are now seeking an additional Category Manager to join our growing Category Team.

This new role will be home based, with travel to our head office in Blackburn twice a week, frequent travel is also required for customer meetings at Retailer UK Head Offices.

Introducing Pets Choice

We are a leading FMCG Branded Pet Food and Pet Products Manufacturer, whose industry knowledge spans over 135 years, with offices and manufacturing sites based in Lancashire, Somerset and South Wales. Our products range from Food, Treats, Toys, Accessories, Health and Hygiene. Our portfolio of brands includes: Webbox, Webbox Naturals, Bob Martin, Felight, Meatiful, TastyBone, Spikes and WildThings.

Role Overview

Due to growth we are looking for an additional Category Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Head of Category & Insights you will be seen as an expert on the Category, Shopper and Insights Data, developing Category Insights and Strategies and executing these with chosen Retail Partners.

Role Responsibilities

• Build strong and lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Working with continuous and ad hoc market and consumer data (Kantar, Nielsen, Circana, Retailer own data) and to put the “Customer First” to identify opportunities for the business and retailers.
• Deliver and present compelling shopper insights.
• Create, develop and drive Category Management expertise with specific customers to increase sales and achieve customer business targets.
• Create and execute insight led customer initiatives to grow the Category and Pets Choice.
• Manage product portfolio within customers to grow distribution to drive category and Pets Choice sales (NPD and tail management)
• Plan, lead internally and execute range updates and range reviews in line with Pets Choice and customer objectives.
• Lead and execute the Channel strategy with relevant customers, focused on range priorities, distribution, NPD listings and on fixture presence.
• Provide input into Pets Choice internal innovation process resulting in the development of a customer specific sell in story for innovation and successfully implementation in line with agreed distribution targets.

What we are looking for?

• Experience in a customer facing Category Manager role within a FMCG business.
• Results focussed – a personal drive for results, a focussed and clear mindset to deliver business targets.
• Category focussed – the ability to play an impartial role with Retailers, balancing Pets Choice, Shopper and Retailer needs.
• Relationship builder – excellent at building relationships internally and externally
• Team player with strong communication and influencing skills, confident in providing reports and recommendations to all levels.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Experience of working proficiently with external data such as Kantar, Circana and Retailer own data & ability to turn data into compelling category stories, deliverable insights.
• Self-motivated
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Proven record of delivering business results and individual KPIs.
• A flexible, enthusiastic, and committed attitude
• An open approach to continuous learning and development
• Eligibility to work in the UK on a permanent basis.
• Full UK and clean driving licence is essential.