Category Strategy Manager

Family and ideas have always been our ingredients. Our founding families believed biscuits and chocolates could bring moments of happiness to the world. Their ideas have stood the test of time. Their spirit continues to inspire our future. It’s in the care and the craft we bake into biscuits and chocolates that have been loved for generations. And it’s in the fresh ideas, the new twists, flavours and textures we add to old and new favourites.

Our 16,000 colleagues across our global network of bakers, distribution sites and offices each with their own unique, diverse experience. To bring happiness with every bite. If you’re a part of the pladis team, you know what it means to bring it. Whether it’s our resilience, team spirit or go-getting attitude. Our courage and compassion. Our ownership. Our whole selves. We Bring it. Day in, day out.

Inspired by you. Our founders didn’t follow rules and recipes, they created them. We’re looking for fresh thinkers to help us create the next chapter for pladis. pladis succeeds because of people like you. People who wake up in the morning excited to get to work. Who believe in themselves and their potential. Who want to grow as part of a global community of like-minded colleagues! Because growth is our oxygen and our fuel. And it’s our deep and abiding belief that growth comes from working together, helping each other out, always passionate about our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.

Our Purpose
Bring happiness with every bite! It’s a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And while we’re all unique, we also share the same values. Each of our values is important on its own. In combination they’re incredibly powerful. Our values have deep personal meaning to us. They’re part of who we are and what we stand for as an employer. Living our pladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these key pladis values.

Role Title: Category Strategy Manager

Site Introduction
In 2021, pladis proudly opened the doors to our vibrant global hub, the MIU Campus. Located in the heart of Chiswick Park, West London. Just a short 5-minute walk from Gunnersbury Station, our campus is nestled within 33 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. Chiswick Park is home to both our UK and Global Corporate teams, bringing together diverse teams across the business.

What will this role achieve?
The Category Strategy Manager is responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction of product categories to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and market leadership. This role combines strategic thinking, commercial acumen, insights & analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver category excellence across multiple channels. Working as part of the Commercial Excellence team and reporting to the Head of Category Strategy, the role bridges Sales & Marketing to develop and lead multi-year category strategies.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Develop Category Vision & Strategies
• Work with the Head of Category Strategy to create our category vision in priority categories such as Savoury, Sweet and Confectionery.
• Help to define the strategic role of each category within the portfolio, including innovation, pricing, and promotional architecture.
• Support the creation & execution of multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives and customer needs.
• Develop Category Growth Drivers with clear narrative for Cat Dev to take externally to customers.
• Setting Consistent Standards & Narratives
• Setting Point of Purchase Standards by channel & category via the creation of category playbooks.
• Influence macro space positively for pladis categories directly with key customers, and with CatDev to execute across channels and retailers.
• Develop POV narrative for major Macro retail challenges (eg LHF / GLP-1).
• Provide customer-centric Shopper narratives aligned to pladis plans for CatDev to tailor by customer.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with the marketing team to ensure category & pladis opportunities are realised by influencing both the NPD pipeline & shopper/consumer marketing activities & choices.
• Partner with Commercial Operations to optimise pricing, pack architecture, and trade investment.
• Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Insights, Finance, Cat Dev and Supply Chain to ensure integrated commercial plans are developed and delivered.
• Work with Brand & Commercial Excellence to advise on pladis NPD, including distribution & ROS assumptions in consultation with CatDev on specific customers.
• Insights & Analysis
• Leverage consumer, shopper, and market insights to inform category strategy and drive data-led decision-making.
• Ensure a unified approach to business insights, reducing silos and promoting one version of the truth.
• Team Contribution
• Actively support capability building within the category strategy function.
• Contribute to a high-performance culture through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Bring your experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market.
• Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background.
• Strategic mindset - capable of transforming brands from products into compelling consumer experiences and scalable growth platforms.
• Proven ability to analyse complex data sets and turn them into clear and useful insights which translate into actionable strategies.
• Story Telling - Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery.
• Good relationship building skills with partners.
• Proficient knowledge of data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of consumer behaviour, shopper & retail dynamics, and market trends.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products.
• Minimum 2 years category management (or commercial / commercial operations) experience.

Our Values

• Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.
• Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
• Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better.
• Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward.
• Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.