Senior Category Manager in St Albans

Senior Category Manager in St Albans

St Albans Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Advocate Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape commercial strategy and drive growth in a leading food business.
  • Company: Join The Advocate Group, a top recruitment partner in the FMCG sector.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to influence key decisions.
  • Other info: Exciting opportunity for strategic thinkers with strong analytical skills.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving category excellence and innovation.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in Category Management within food or FMCG sectors.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Are you an experienced Category professional ready to shape commercial strategy and influence business performance at a senior level?

The Advocate Group is partnering with a leading food business to recruit a Senior Category Manager.

This is a high-impact opportunity to support category strategy, influence key customer decisions, and drive sustainable growth across a strategically important portfolio.

Key responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies that unlock growth and strengthen customer partnerships.

Lead category reviews, range optimisation, pricing recommendations and promotional strategy using robust consumer, shopper and market insight.

Identify emerging trends, market opportunities and whitespace to shape innovation and long-term category direction.

Build credible relationships with internal stakeholders and major retail customers, influencing decisions through data-led storytelling and commercial recommendations.

Deliver actionable insight using category data sources including Circana, Nielsen and Kantar to support business planning and customer engagement.

Champion category excellence across the business, embedding best practice and driving continuous improvement.

What we're looking for

Proven Category Management experience within the food, beverage or wider FMCG sector.

A strong commercial mindset with the ability to translate insight into measurable business outcomes.

Experience presenting category recommendations to senior stakeholders and retail customers.

Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills.

Why join?

A newly created role reporting into the Category Director you'll be pivotal in the growth of the function (with planned line management responsibilities) and development of strategic customers.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine strategic thinking with commercial execution and genuinely influence category growth, we'd love to hear from you.

For more information, contact John at The Advocate Group or click Apply Now to be considered.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the UK FMCG and consumer products sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.

By applying for this role, you agree to our Privacy Policy available on our website.

The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy

Senior Category Manager in St Albans employer: The Advocate Group

Aimia Foods is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a focus on building strong relationships in the Contract Catering and Travel sectors, team members enjoy the flexibility of a home-based role combined with the excitement of regular travel, all within a supportive environment that values personal and professional advancement.

The Advocate Group

Contact Details:

The Advocate Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in St Albans

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 The Advocate Group 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 The Advocate Group 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 The Advocate Group 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 The Advocate Group. 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 in St Albans

Category Management
Commercial Strategy
Consumer Insight Analysis
Market Trend Identification
Data-led Storytelling
Stakeholder Engagement
Analytical Skills

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 The Advocate Group. 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 The Advocate Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about The Advocate Group’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 The Advocate Group

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 The Advocate Group 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 The Advocate Group, 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.