At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category growth strategies and build strong partnerships with key convenience retailers.
- Company: Join Premier Foods, a leader in beloved UK food brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, private medical, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to supporting disability inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of iconic brands while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Development and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Based - St Albans, AL1 2RE (Hybrid)Permanent, Full Time Join Premier Foods - where people, brands and purpose come together.
Role Purpose At Premier Foods, we're proud of the much-loved brands that are part of everyday life across the UK.
Our success comes from talented people who combine insight, creativity and commercial thinking to drive growth for our customers, our categories and our brands.
We're looking for a Senior Category Development Manager - Convenience to join our Category Development team.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead category growth with key convenience retailers, influence strategic decisions and shape the future direction of some of the UK's most recognisable food brands.
You'll also play an important leadership role within the team, helping develop future talent and driving category excellence What you'll be doing As Senior Category Development Manager, you'll be responsible for delivering sustainable category growth across key convenience customers, building strong customer partnerships and ensuring Premier Foods remains the partner of choice.
Lead category growth strategies that drive value, volume and long-term success for both Premier Foods and our customers.
Use data and market insight to identify opportunities, create compelling recommendations and influence customer decision-making.
Drive successful range reviews that protect and grow core business while creating opportunities for innovation and NPD.
Develop objective space-to-sales recommendations aligned to category strategies and retailer objectives.
Monitor distribution, shelf space and fixture performance, identifying opportunities to maximise growth.
Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, CP&E Insights and Category teams to shape internal strategy and ensure the retailer voice is represented in decision-making.
Support commercial sell-ins and customer planning activity with evidence-based category recommendations.
Lead, coach and develop a Category Development Executive, supporting their growth and career development What we're looking for We're looking for someone who combines commercial curiosity, strategic thinking and strong relationship-building skills with a passion for category growth.
Previous experience in Category Development, Category Management or a similar customer-facing commercial role.
Strong analytical capability, with experience using data sources such as Kantar, Circana, IGD, Mintel, Lumina and retailer platforms to generate actionable insights.
Excellent Excel and Power Point skills, alongside the ability to interpret and present complex information clearly.
Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging customers and senior internal stakeholders.
Leadership experience, including coaching, developing or managing others.
Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how category decisions impact business performance.
Competitive salary Car Allowance Bonus Holiday Purchase Scheme Sharesave Scheme EV Car Scheme Private Medical Up to 7.5% pension Life assurance Wide range of online and in-house training Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality.
We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process.
Senior Category Manager (Permanent) in Wheathampstead employer: Premier Foods
Premier Foods is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Worksop where you can grow your career in food safety and quality. With a strong commitment to inclusion and individuality, the company fosters a welcoming culture that values each employee's contributions while providing opportunities for professional development in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager (Permanent) in Wheathampstead
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Premier Foods and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Premier Foods are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Premier Foods on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Premier Foods. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager (Permanent) in Wheathampstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Premier Foods. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Premier Foods:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Premier Foods’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Foods
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Premier Foods will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Premier Foods, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
