Category Development Manager

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc; Chesham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc seeks a Category Development Manager for AFH in Uxbridge. You will develop a clear vision for the Soft Drinks category, work with key accounts to drive growth, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver insights and strategy.

The role requires analytical thinking, negotiation, and strong stakeholder influence. Reporting to Senior Category Manager, you will manage range relays, tenders, and channel strategy while ensuring data-informed decisions using

Qualifications

• Proven ability to grow category performance in a competitive market.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management across multiple levels.
• Data-driven approach with Nielsen/CGA/Lumina/IGD insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a category strategy to unlock growth for Soft Drinks.
• Create strategic plans with key accounts to identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align category/brand strategies and ensure execution.
• Lead range relays, macro space resets, tenders and channel strategy visions.
• Engage with customers to build a mutual contact strategy and broaden engagement.

Skills

Category growth

Influencing

Stakeholder management

Resilience

Tools

Nielsen data

CGA data

Lumina

IGD data

Job description

Make an impact in ways that matter. Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity. Join a business built on trusted brands, great people and teamwork, where care and fresh ideas help keep things moving. Here, your contribution helps serve our customers, support our operations and enable our teams to do their best work. You'll be encouraged to bring your strengths, supported to grow, and welcomed into a team where we make a meaningful difference together. Category Development Manager - AFH Location - Uxbridge Contract - Permanent Role closing date - 20/10/2026

What you become part:

In an increasingly competitive and challenging market place, at CCEP we see the role of the Category Development Manager as pivotal to delivering our business performance. The team's primary objective is to deliver an inspiring and insightful vision for the Soft Drinks category, today and in the future across the various Environments.
unlock growth we need our team to be strategic, long term focused, analytical and great influencers to work in partnership with our customers and key internal stakeholders. Reporting in to the Senior Category Manager you will be responsible for the development and implementation of a category strategy to unlock growth potential.

What to expect:

• Support in the development of a clear vision for the Soft Drinks category, creating a framework for growth with a clear and relevant category strategy across key environments and customers
• Develop strategic plans with key accounts that identify opportunities to drive performance
• Drive CCEP strategic thinking and value creation story with Customers by engaging with Buyers, Merchandisers and Category Directors
• Land range relays, macro space resets, tenders/ re-negotiations, channel strategy visions and Customer Business Planning Days
• Establish and maintain a mutually beneficial customer contact
  strategy and help broaden our engagement with customers
• Work in collaboration with key internal stakeholders (including National Accounts, Activation, R&MGM and Insights) to ensure alignment and execution against the category and brand strategies
• Ensure delivery of quality category analysis reports, delivering insight to our customers on a regular basis utilise external providers to ensure we have access to the highest quality data & insight available for our customers and environments.
• Drive change by launching strategic projects such as channel strategy across key customers

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrate passion, proactive ownership and resilience for growing the category
• Strong listening and influencing skills at various levels within the organisation and with customers
• Ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups
• Resilience, determination, and drive are key

Behaviours:

Drive for innovation, change, agile, curious mind set, resilience, determination, and drive are key

In-depth knowledge of Nielsen, CGA, Lumina, IGD and other data & insight providers

We are encouraging applications from candidates who have previous experience of collaborating with large customers, are highly numerate and analytical Previous FMCG Category Management experience is desirable but not essential We are Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), with 39,000 people serving 4 million customers across 31 markets.

At CCEP, we welcome people from all backgrounds and value the experiences and perspectives they bring. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves, feel respected and thrive. This commitment is reflected in our recognition as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute and as a Disability Confident Leader.

If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply so we can support you to perform at your best.

We recognise that some people may prefer not to participate in alcohol-related sales, interactions or promotions. xcunqrw If this applies to you, please speak with your Talent Acquisition contact, who can advise whether this role includes activities related to our alcohol portfolio.

To find out more about life at CCEP and our culture, visit Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and our careers website at