At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Lindt UK's Category Management, driving strategic direction and building strong retailer partnerships.
- Company: Join a premium chocolate manufacturer with a values-led culture and iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, chocolate allowance, birthday day off, and more!
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing organisation while enjoying delicious chocolate perks.
- Qualifications: Significant Category Management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 115000 £ per year.
A little bit about Lindt: We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 700 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are a Top 20 Great Place to Work and are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY.
How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate: To lead Lindt UK's Category Management function, providing strategic direction across both Customer Category Management and Category Strategy. Through the leadership of the Customer Category Controller and Category Strategy Controller, the role is responsible for developing and leading the Category Vision, building strong retailer partnerships and ensuring excellent execution across all customers and channels.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Category Function
- Lead and develop the overall Category Management function
- Set the vision, priorities and direction for the Category team
- Build a high-performing culture focused on capability, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Ownership of data and Insights budget as well as relationship with key data providers (Kantar, Circana etc)
- Develop and Lead the Category Vision
- Own, evolve and champion Lindt's Category Vision, ensuring it provides a clear roadmap for category growth
- Translate shopper, consumer and market insights into category strategies that create value for both Lindt and its customers
- Ensure the Category Vision is embedded across commercial planning, customer engagement and execution
- Lead the development of Perfect Store principles, merchandising vision and long-term category growth opportunities through the Category Strategy team
- Drive Customer & Multi-Channel Execution
- Ensure category strategies are translated into clear plans and execution across Grocery, Convenience, Online, DTC and emerging channels
- Build senior relationships with retailer category and buying teams to strengthen Lindt's influence
- Oversee delivery of category reviews, range reviews, merchandising initiatives and category projects across multiple customers and channels
- Drive excellence in distribution, availability, visibility and display execution across the market
- Deliver Business Growth
- Partner with Sales, Marketing, RGM and Customer Marketing to deliver integrated commercial plans
- Represent the category agenda within key business planning and decision-making forums
- Ensure category recommendations support the delivery of Lindt's sales, share and profitability objectives
What Success Looks Like:
- Strong category influence with customers
- Effective leadership of both Customer Category and Category Strategy teams
- Category strategies successfully executed across multiple customers and channels
- Improved distribution, visibility and shopper conversion
- A highly capable and engaged category organisation
- Tangible contribution to Lindt growth and category performance
Experience & Skills:
- Significant Category Management leadership experience within FMCG
- Strong customer-facing and influencing skill at all levels
- Experience leading and developing large multidisciplined teams
- Commercially minded, with strong strategic and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Where you’ll be based: This role is based in Richmond Upon Thames, London (Hybrid Working: in the office 60% and WFH 40%).
How you will be rewarded:
For the Head of Category Management position, the salary range is £95,000 - £115,000 plus car allowance. In addition, you will receive a benefits package including; bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowance; chocolate give-aways, chocolate discount, birthday day off and so much more!
Being yourself every day: We want everyone at Lindt feel safe to be themselves, ensuring they are empowered, represented, celebrated and included in our workplace.
Living our values everyday: At Lindt UK, our values guide us in everything we do. Being Passionately Lindt, Always Evolving, Building Real Relationships, Acting Responsibly and Making An Impact are an integral part of life here at Lindt.
What you can expect from us: In return for everything that you’ll bring, we can offer you an exciting role in a fast-growing organisation, where we’ll provide an environment where you will thrive, feel supported and fulfil your career aspirations, all while supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.
Head of Category Management in London employer: U.K.
IMG Licensing is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that thrives on collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development while managing iconic brands in a vibrant industry. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is valued, making IMG Licensing a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category Management in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Category Management at U.K.!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like U.K. or be willing to refer you for that Head of Category Management position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from U.K. who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Category Management star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Category Management role at U.K.!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category Management in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at U.K.. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at U.K.
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at U.K.. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
