At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth through insights, analysis, and strategic recommendations.
- Company: Join a dynamic international consumer goods business on an exciting journey.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model with a competitive salary and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to influence key retail partners across Europe.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping category strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management or Shopper Insights with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Location: Hybrid
Contract: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Category Manager to join a growing international consumer goods business on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This role will be responsible for driving category growth across key European retail and distributor partners through shopper insights, category analysis, promotional evaluation, and customer-focused recommendations.
Working closely with Sales, Marketing, and external partners, you'll help shape category strategies, influence customer plans, and deliver actionable insights that drive commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Generate category and shopper insights from multiple data sources to identify growth opportunities.
- Partner with commercial teams to develop customer strategies, trade plans, and category recommendations.
- Analyse retail, market, and distributor performance data to support decision-making.
- Lead promotional planning reviews and post-activity evaluation to measure ROI and effectiveness.
- Build compelling customer presentations to support range reviews, product launches, merchandising recommendations, and category growth initiatives.
- Develop and communicate category management plans to distributors and retail partners across multiple markets.
- Collaborate with shopper marketing teams to ensure best-in-class execution of customer activity plans.
- Manage and maintain category and market data platforms, ensuring accurate reporting and analysis.
- Represent the category function in customer, sales, and cross-functional meetings.
- Champion category management principles and help embed best practice across the organisation.
About You
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confident creating impactful presentations in PowerPoint.
- Proven experience within Category Management, Shopper Marketing, Category Development, or Insights roles.
- Strong understanding of retail environments and customer-facing category strategies.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercially minded, proactive, and confident influencing both internal and external stakeholders.
- A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Experience Required
- Degree educated or equivalent experience.
- Significant experience within Category Management or Shopper Insights.
- Experience working across international markets and distributor-led routes to market.
- Previous people management experience.
- Strong working knowledge of syndicated data sources such as Nielsen, Circana/IRI, Kantar, GfK, IQVIA, or equivalent market data platforms.
Category Manager - 6mnth FTC in Slough employer: Vertical Advantage
Join a dynamic and innovative international consumer goods business that values collaboration and growth. As a Category Manager, you'll benefit from a supportive hybrid work culture that encourages professional development and offers opportunities to influence key strategies across European markets. With a focus on data-driven insights and a commitment to excellence, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate professionals in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - 6mnth FTC in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We recommend crafting a few insightful questions to ask your interviewers. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with your responses. We can help you refine your answers to highlight your analytical skills and category management experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. And remember, check out our website for more opportunities that match your skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - 6mnth FTC in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in category management and shopper insights, and don’t forget to mention any relevant data analysis skills. We want to see how you can drive growth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this 6-month FTC. Share specific examples of how you've influenced customer plans or driven category strategies in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical skills, make sure to include examples of how you've interpreted complex data and turned it into actionable insights. We love seeing numbers that back up your achievements!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Category Manager, you'll be expected to generate insights from various data sources. Make sure you brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive category growth in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to interpret complex data and turn it into actionable recommendations.
✨Master Your Presentation Skills
You'll need to build compelling customer presentations, so practice creating impactful slides in PowerPoint. Think about how you can visually represent data and insights to make your case more persuasive. During the interview, be prepared to present a mock presentation or discuss how you've successfully influenced stakeholders with your presentations before.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with Sales, Marketing, and external partners. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals. Highlight your experience in cross-functional meetings and how you’ve championed category management principles within your previous roles.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Having a strong understanding of retail environments is crucial. Research the company’s key retail and distributor partners and be prepared to discuss their market strategies. Show that you’re commercially minded by bringing insights about current trends in the consumer goods sector and how they could impact category strategies.
