Category Development Manager

Lactalis UK & Ireland; Redhill; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Enhanced pension & life cover

Hybrid work

Enhanced parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning platform access

DEI & Grocery Aid partnership

Job summary

Lactalis UK & Ireland is seeking a Category Development Manager to join our Sales team at the Redhill office. You will deliver insight-led category recommendations and execute customer-facing plans across cheese and wider dairy categories, collaborating with Commercial, Marketing, RGM & Innovation to drive commercial outcomes.

You will bring UK grocery category development experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to turn data into actionable category strategies, with excellent Excel

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Development within UK grocery (or comparable) retail market.
• Ability to translate data and insights into commercially focused recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication; capable of clear narratives for diverse audiences.

Skills

Analytical skills

Influencing stakeholders

Data storytelling

Excel

PowerPoint

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are looking for a Category Development Manager to join our Sales team based at our Redhill office. The role will be responsible in delivering insight-led category recommendations and execute customer-facing category plans across cheese & wider dairy categories. This will include supporting the development of category strategies and translating them into actionable range, space and in-store recommendations. The role will also work closely with Commercial, Marketing, RGM & Innovation to build compelling category stories, support range reviews and new product launches helping to drive measurable commercial outcomes with key retail customers.

We would like someone who is experienced in Category Development within the UK grocery sector (or a comparable retail market), with strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data and insights into commercially focused recommendations. Skilled at influencing both customers and internal stakeholders through evidence-based storytelling, with a solid understanding of shopper behaviour, category performance, and customer dynamics. Highly proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to create clear, compelling narratives for a range of audiences.

What you'll get:

• 26 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + 8 flex days
• Enhanced pension, life & critical illness cover
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Enhanced parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to our award-winning global learning platform
• We’re proud to be a Gold Partner of Grocery Aid and committed to DE&I

About Us:

Lactalis is the world’s largest dairy company, operating in nearly 100 countries. In the UK, we’re home to global brands like Président, Galbani, and Leerdammer, and beloved local names like Seriously, Galloway, and Cricket St. Thomas.