At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and insights to drive growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Global leader in functional wellness with innovative products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, equity, flexible working, and 24 days holiday.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a category-defining brand and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in category management or commercial strategy, strong data skills.
- Other info: Dynamic, entrepreneurial culture with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Our client is a category-defining global business that has produced innovative products across multiple categories that support modern-day lifestyles. They have grown into a global leader in the functional wellness space and are now sold in stores worldwide, including all major UK and international retailers.
This role is all about building a centre of excellence for category, insight and performance across Europe – shaping how the business thinks, decides and wins in a fast-growing functional category. You’ll blend data, sharp storytelling and real commercial edge to unlock growth with retailers, out-of-home partners and internal teams.
The role
- Lead and mature the EU Insights & Commercial Strategy function – setting the frameworks, tools and ways of working that turn data into decisions and clear actions.
- Build a single, joined-up view of performance across NIQ, Kantar, Circana, retailer portals and DTC data, creating one trusted source of truth for the business.
- Design repeatable playbooks for opportunity sizing, forecasting, post-event analysis and category storytelling that can be picked up and used by commercial teams.
- Own category captaincy across Better-For-You and No/Lo.
- Create retailer-facing category visions and decks that land a clear future for the category and position the brand as the growth partner of choice.
- Map missions, occasions, adjacencies and shelf architecture, then translate that work into tangible, incremental value for retailers and the wider category.
Commercial impact
- Partner closely with Sales and RGM to drive decisions on range reviews, PPA, promo strategy, mix, space and visibility – always anchored in clear, commercial insight.
- Build simple, punchy dashboards and performance packs for senior leadership, calling out what is really driving rate of sale, incrementality and customer lifetime value.
- Use data and storytelling to strengthen retailer negotiations and unlock distribution, space and activation across key customers and channels.
Strategic partner to the business
- Work hand in glove with Marketing, NPD and Finance on everything from sizing the prize and white-space identification through to innovation tracking and post-launch reviews.
- Bring consumer and shopper insight into brand and campaign planning, helping to prioritise where to invest for the biggest return.
- Inform future product, pack and pricing architecture with a clear view of need-states, willingness to pay and retailer economics.
About you
- 8+ years in category management, commercial strategy, insights or RGM within FMCG/CPG, ideally with strong premium experience.
- Comfortable in the data: experienced with tools like Nielsen/NIQ, Kantar, Circana, IRI, SIP and Dunnhumby, and confident stitching multiple sources together.
- A natural storyteller who can turn complex analysis into clear, compelling, commercially useful narratives for commercial and non-commercial stakeholders.
- Proven experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, NPD and Finance to deliver growth plans.
- Entrepreneurial mindset – you enjoy building, iterating and getting stuck in, rather than simply running a mature process.
- Energised by high-growth, fast-paced environments where you can genuinely shape the future of a category-defining brand.
Package & ways of working
- HQ: London. Office based with flexibility to work from home.
- Salary, bonus and equity all DOE, with clear progression opportunities for the right person.
- 24 days’ holiday + Bank Holidays.
- Pension (3% employer / 5% employee).
- Private healthcare.
- Monthly product allowance.
- Dog-friendly office.
- Working-from-abroad policy.
- Sabbatical after a period of service.
If you are passionate about shaping the next phase of growth for an exciting brand, do hit apply.
Head of Category in London employer: Talentpool
Contact Detail:
Talentpool Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 your pitch! When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, have a clear and concise story about your experience and how it aligns with the company's goals. Make it memorable and show them why you're the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your data skills! Since this role is all about insights and performance, be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in the past. Bring examples of dashboards or reports you've created that made an impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Category role. Highlight your experience in category management and commercial strategy, especially within FMCG/CPG. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story! Use it to showcase your passion for data-driven decision-making and how you can bring value to our team. Remember, we love a good narrative!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to highlight your experience with tools like Nielsen, Kantar, and others. We’re looking for someone who can turn data into actionable insights, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talentpool
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
For a role like Head of Category, being comfortable with data is crucial. Make sure you’re familiar with tools like Nielsen, Kantar, and Circana. Prepare to discuss how you've used these insights in past roles to drive commercial decisions.
✨Craft Your Story
You’ll need to be a natural storyteller, so think about how you can turn your experiences into compelling narratives. Practice explaining complex analyses in simple terms, focusing on the impact your insights had on growth and strategy.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with Sales, Marketing, and Finance. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated across teams to deliver growth plans. Highlight any specific projects where your input made a significant difference.
✨Demonstrate Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
The company is looking for someone who thrives in high-growth environments. Prepare to discuss times when you’ve built or iterated on processes rather than just maintaining them. Show your enthusiasm for shaping the future of a brand and driving innovation.