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 inclusivity in a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of health brands.
- Qualifications: Degree in Marketing or related field; experience in FMCG or Consumer Health preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Company: Thornton & Ross
Department: CHC Insights
Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Job Level: Professionals
Information at a Glance
STADA UK Thornton & Ross is on an exciting growth journey with more than 700 employees being 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
- 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
- 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 CHC in Reading employer: STADA Group
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 wellbeing support. Join us in Reading to make a meaningful impact in the Consumer Health sector and be part of our exciting journey towards shaping the future of health care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager CHC in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Thornton & Ross on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their products and market strategies. Show us that you understand the Consumer Health landscape and how you can drive category growth. Bring your A-game with insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! We want to see how you can turn data into compelling narratives. Think about how you can influence customer decisions with your insights and be ready to share examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Thornton & Ross.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager CHC in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Unique Self:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your experiences and how they align with our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility, and One STADA.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Senior Category Manager CHC role. Highlight your relevant experience in FMCG or Consumer Health, and demonstrate how your skills can drive category growth and enhance brand visibility at Thornton & Ross.
Be Insightful:Since this role is all about insights, don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills! Include examples of how you've used data to influence decisions or drive performance in previous roles. We love a good story backed by solid insights!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Thornton & Ross!
How to prepare for a job interview at STADA Group
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Consumer Health category. Understand current trends, key players, and market dynamics. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to drive category growth.
✨Prepare Insight-Led Stories
Craft compelling narratives around shopper insights and market opportunities. Think about how you can translate data into engaging stories that influence customer decisions. This will showcase your ability to connect insights with actionable strategies.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with KPIs and performance metrics. Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive category performance in previous roles. This will highlight your strong numerical capability and results-oriented mindset.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of instances where you've worked with different teams to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills and how you've influenced stakeholders. This will show that you can thrive in an open culture and contribute to the team dynamic at Thornton & Ross.
