At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic category partnerships and drive growth for Consumer Health brands.
- Company: Join STADA UK Thornton & Ross, a dynamic company committed to caring for people's health.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and innovation in a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Marketing or Business preferred; experience in FMCG or Consumer Health is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
STADA UK Thornton & Ross is on an exciting growth journey with more than 700 employees fully committed to our purpose of Caring for People's Health as a Trusted Partner. Together we are shaping the future of Thornton & Ross by living our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA. If you want to work in an open culture where your uniqueness is valued, join our CHC Insights Team.
Role Purpose
The Senior Category Manager CHC will join STADA UK Thornton & Ross at a time of strong momentum, portfolio expansion, and organisational transformation. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in accelerating the growth of our Consumer Health brands by driving category leadership, strengthening customer partnerships, and improving execution across in-market activity. You will develop and lead category partnerships with key customers, drive category growth, enhance Thornton & Ross brand visibility, and increase share of distribution across channels.
How You Will Make Impact
- Build & Lead Strategic Category Partnerships
- Establish and independently manage strong category relationships with key customers, ensuring regular engagement supported by objective market and competitor insights.
- Deliver clear, commercially focused recommendations that drive action across:
- Range reviews and assortment optimisation
- Different retail and store formats
- Online and e-commerce environments
- Trade and promotional planning
- Ensure insights are translated into actionable strategies that influence customer decisions and category growth.
- Build Category & Shopper Insight Advantage
- Create a competitive advantage for Thornton & Ross by developing best-in-class category and shopper insight for key customers.
- Shape and adapt the insight agenda to meet both customer and category needs, including loyalty card data, shopper behaviour, and purchase drivers.
- Develop efficient processes for regular, timely insight delivery and continuously evaluate the ROI of insight investment across customers and categories.
- Define & Drive Category Performance Metrics
- Define, set, and track category KPIs and performance objectives across all key customers and brands, including:
- Category and brand growth vs market
- Thornton & Ross share of distribution
- In-store and online brand visibility
- Integrate EPOS, category, and shopper data with detailed range and planogram analysis across retail formats to build a holistic view of performance.
- Share insights internally and collaborate cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement.
- Influence Customers Through Insight‑Led Storytelling
- Develop and deliver compelling category narratives that shape customer thinking around shopper needs and market opportunities.
- Influence key stakeholders by:
- Presenting clear, insight‑led category recommendations
- Demonstrating "what good looks like" in-store and online
- Building impactful visual merchandising concepts and planograms
- Translating data into engaging, actionable stories that drive change
- Support the delivery of Thornton & Ross commercial priorities, including channel strategy and sales objectives.
- Work closely with Account Managers to maximise category opportunities and leverage strong customer relationships to support overall business growth.
What We Are Looking For
At STADA UK Thornton & Ross, we embrace Uniqueness—recognising the value that diverse perspectives bring to our work. Our core values—Entrepreneurship, Integrity, Agility, and One STADA—guide how we collaborate and innovate. We are looking for a candidate who aligns with these values and brings the following:
- University degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field (preferred)
- Experience in FMCG, Consumer Health, or a fast‑paced commercial environment
- Strong drive, ambition, and results‑oriented mindset
- High adaptability and ability to thrive in change
- Strong numerical and analytical capability
- Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
- High energy, proactive approach, and eagerness to learn and develop
- Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills
How We Care For You
At Thornton & Ross our purpose "Caring for people's health as a trusted partner" motivates us every day. And what would be a better place than starting with our own employees. Which is why we give much in return:
- Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 6% employer contribution rates.
- Hybrid working - we spend three days of your choice in the office, with the remaining days working at home.
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Free winter flu jab.
- Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing - offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.
- Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on‑site EV charging.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Enhanced Family Leave.
- Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.
STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation. We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength. Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment. We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.
Senior Category Manager in Reading employer: STADA Arzneimittel AG
At STADA UK Thornton & Ross, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values integrity, entrepreneurship, and agility. Our open culture fosters uniqueness and collaboration, providing employees with ample opportunities for growth and development while enjoying competitive benefits such as hybrid working, generous leave policies, and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in Reading to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to caring for people's health and driving innovation in the Consumer Health sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values, like Integrity and Agility, so you can show how you align with them. Tailor your answers to reflect what they care about!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share compelling examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your impact and how you can drive category growth. Make it engaging and relevant to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG and Consumer Health, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and ability to drive category growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your values align with ours at STADA UK Thornton & Ross. Be specific about how you can contribute to our growth journey.
Showcase Your Insights Skills:Since the role involves developing category insights, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles. We love seeing how you can turn numbers into actionable strategies!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at STADA Arzneimittel AG
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong numerical and analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to category performance, market share, and shopper behaviour. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
You'll be influencing customers through insight-led storytelling, so practice presenting your ideas clearly and engagingly. Prepare a few examples of how you've successfully communicated insights in the past, and think about how you can translate complex data into compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires building and leading strategic category partnerships. Think about times when you've developed actionable strategies based on market insights. Be prepared to discuss your approach to range reviews, assortment optimisation, and how you've influenced customer decisions in previous positions.
✨Align with Company Values
Thornton & Ross values integrity, entrepreneurship, agility, and collaboration. Research these values and think about how your personal experiences align with them. During the interview, share specific examples that highlight your adaptability and results-oriented mindset, showing that you're a great fit for their culture.
