Category Development Manager

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc; North Hillingdon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc is hiring a Category Development Manager for AFH in Uxbridge. You will develop a clear Soft Drinks category vision and strategy, identify growth opportunities, and drive performance with major customers through strategic plans and range and space optimisations.

You will engage with Buyers, Merchandisers and Category Directors, while collaborating with internal teams to ensure alignment with overall category and brand strategies.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to drive category growth in FMCG environments.
• Strong listening and influencing skills across multiple levels of stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with customers and internal teams to implement category plans.
• Numerate, analytical, and able to turn data into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a clear Soft Drinks category strategy across key environments and customers.
• Create plans with major accounts to unlock growth and optimize range and space.
• Lead engagement with Buyers, Merchandisers and Category Directors.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment with brand and category plans.

Skills

Influence stakeholders

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Category management

Negotiation

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 your customers, support your operations and enable your 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 of: 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.
In order to 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: Your primary responsibilities will include: 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 of 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.
We combine the scale of a large multinational business with expert local knowledge of the customers and communities we serve, investing, employing, manufacturing and distributing locally.
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. xohmjla
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