Category Development Manager - Food

Our client is a leading FMCG business with a strong presence across the UK grocery market and a portfolio of well‑established brands. Operating as a category leader, the business is known for its insight‑led approach, collaborative culture and ability to build high‑impact retail partnerships.

They are recognised as the number one partner for objective, data‑driven category insight within their core category, and continue to invest heavily in strengthening customer relationships and driving category growth.

Overview of the Role

This is a pivotal Category Manager role with ownership of a highly strategic UK grocery retail account. Acting as the lead Category Advisor, you will play a critical role in influencing customer decision‑making, shaping category strategy and delivering measurable growth.

The role requires an established Category Manager who can confidently operate at a senior level with customers, particularly within range reviews and category planning. You will combine strong analytical capability with commercial acumen and storytelling to influence outcomes and deliver win‑win solutions.

In addition to customer ownership, you will lead a key internal project focused on expanding seasonal opportunities across the product range, driving incremental growth and unlocking new consumption occasions.

Responsibilities

Customer & Category Leadership

• Act as the lead Category Advisor for a major grocery retailer, building strong, trusted relationships across Buying, Merchandising and Category teams.
• Influence and shape customer decisions through best‑in‑class category insight and strategic recommendations.
• Lead category input into range reviews, with a strong focus on delivering successful outcomes and winning space.
• Develop and execute category growth plans aligned to both customer strategy and internal objectives.
• Embed a clear category vision that identifies long‑and short‑term growth opportunities.

Insight & Analysis

• Analyse market, shopper and customer data to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling and actionable recommendations.
• Develop category reporting, scorecards and performance tracking tools.
• Leverage multiple data sources to build robust, insight‑led selling stories.

Commercial & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales teams to deliver insight‑led customer presentations and support commercial negotiations.
• Act as the voice of the customer internally, ensuring insights shape business decisions and planning cycles.
• Collaborate with Brand, Marketing and Insights teams to align category strategy with wider business objectives.

Strategic Projects

• Lead a high‑profile internal project focused on expanding seasonal opportunities within the product portfolio.
• Identify new occasions, formats and activation opportunities to drive incremental category growth.
• Work cross‑functionally to deliver seasonal initiatives from concept through to execution.

Capability & Influence

• Upskill internal stakeholders on category thinking, tools and insight application.
• Share best practice across the wider commercial organisation.
• Support senior stakeholders with category input into business reviews and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Degree educated or equivalent.
• Proven experience operating at Category Manager level within FMCG.
• Strong track record of influencing UK grocery retailers, particularly within range reviews.
• Advanced analytical capability with experience using market data (e.g. Nielsen, Kantar or similar).
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate insight into action.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Advanced Excel and data manipulation capability.
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Ability to communicate complex data in a clear, compelling way
• High levels of drive, resilience and accountability

The role works on a hybrid model and would need someone to be in the West London office 3 days a week.