Category Growth Manager: Data-Driven Bakery & Grocery

Alexander Steele Recruitment; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander Steele is partnering with a leading UK food manufacturer to recruit a Category Manager for the Category & Insights team. You will own assigned retailers and categories, partnering with major UK grocers to translate shopper and market data into commercial recommendations.

The role focuses on developing category strategy across retailers, including exposure to Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, with emphasis on cake and bakery categories.

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Management or closely related FMCG roles.
• Ability to analyse EPOS, panel, shopper or consumer data and turn it into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver insight-led category strategies for key grocery customers.
• Own retailer relationships and act as a trusted category partner.
• Analyse data to identify category growth opportunities and present clear commercial stories to customers.
• Collaborate with data sources such as NielsenIQ, Circana and retailer platforms.
• Support assortment, merchandising, pricing and promotional strategies.
• Identify shopper trends to drive category growth and work with Commercial, Marketing, Brand and NPD teams.

Skills

Category Management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Insight storytelling

Tools

NielsenIQ

Circana

Job description

Alexander Steele is partnering with a leading UK food manufacturer to recruit a Category Manager for the Category & Insights team. You will own assigned retailers and categories, partnering with major UK grocers to translate shopper and market data into commercial recommendations.

The role focuses on developing category strategy across retailers, including exposure to Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, with emphasis on cake and bakery categories.