At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage categories using insights to drive growth for Sofina and its customers.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a leader in quality meats and seafood products.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and career development.
- Other info: Flexible, fast-paced work culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on category growth and innovation in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in a commercial or category role.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Support the category management of nominated customers, using market, shopper, and consumer insights to identify opportunities and deliver sustainable category growth for Sofina and its customers.
The Category Manager will work closely with key retail customers, building strong relationships with buying, category, and range teams and positioning Sofina as a trusted partner within the category. Using market data, shopper insights, consumer trends, and retailer information, you will lead category reviews, identify opportunities, and develop practical recommendations to drive growth. You will also work closely with Commercial, Marketing, NPD, and Planning teams to support innovation, ranging, promotional activity, and customer planning. This is a commercially focused role for someone who enjoys turning data and insights into clear recommendations that make a real difference.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Build strong relationships with key customer buying, category, and range contacts
- Lead category reviews, using market, shopper, consumer, and retailer data to identify growth opportunities
- Develop clear and commercially focused recommendations aligned with customer and Sofina strategies
- Monitor category performance and provide analysis and recommendations where improvements are required
- Support customer planning cycles, including range reviews, NPD performance, innovation, and promotional activity
- Work closely with Marketing and NPD teams to develop compelling category and innovation stories
- Provide category insights to Commercial and Planning teams to support forecasts, promotional uplifts, and future growth plans
- Support shopper marketing, promotional plans, NPD launches, and seasonal ranging
- Deliver accurate and timely customer reporting and analysis
- Contribute to wider category projects and help share best practice across the Category team
The Ideal Candidate
- Strong commercial awareness with previous experience in a commercial or category environment
- Highly analytical, with the ability to turn large amounts of data into clear insights and actionable recommendations
- Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills
- Confident working with customer, market, shopper, and consumer data
- Experience using data platforms such as Kantar, IRI, or Nielsen would be advantageous
- Strong organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills
- Commercially minded with a proactive and solutions-focused approach
- Collaborative team player who enjoys sharing knowledge and best practice
- Flexible and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Why Sofina Foods?
- Competitive Salary
- Company Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Online Benefits Hub
- Career Development Opportunities
- Supportive and Collaborative Working Culture
- Opportunity to work closely with leading retail customers and contribute directly to category growth, innovation, and commercial strategy.
Company Information
Sofina Foods isn't just a food company - It’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we're passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents. Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods.
Equal Opportunities
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Hours of Work: Full-time
Category Manager in Leeds employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Sofina Foods is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and collaborative work environment at our South Quay site. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal growth in the food manufacturing industry, ensuring that our team members feel valued and empowered in their roles. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that takes pride in delivering high-quality fish products while enjoying a positive work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Leeds
✨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 Sofina Foods Europe 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 Sofina Foods Europe 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 Sofina Foods Europe 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 Sofina Foods Europe. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Leeds
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 Sofina Foods Europe. 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 Sofina Foods Europe:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Sofina Foods Europe’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 Sofina Foods Europe
✨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 Sofina Foods Europe 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 Sofina Foods Europe, 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.
