Category Insights Director

Compass Group; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food services company in the UK is seeking an experienced Category Insights Director to lead data-driven category strategies. This pivotal role involves understanding consumer behaviour, optimising assortments, and enhancing client engagement through advanced analytics and reporting. Candidates should have 7-10+ years of relevant experience, a strong analytical background, and excellent client-facing skills. Join a fast-growing team to shape the future of smart retail and vending.

Benefits

Fast-growing, innovative environment

Influential strategic impact

Cutting-edge technology usage

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years' experience in senior category management, insights or analytics roles.
• Strong background in client-facing roles.
• Ability to influence and build trusted relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to commercial objectives.
• Lead the collection and analysis of data sources.
• Translate insights into recommendations that drive revenue.

Skills

Data-driven category strategies

Client-facing roles

Advanced analytical capability

Presentation skills

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Advanced Excel

R

Python

SQL

Job description

Category Insights Director

Amplifi | Smart Retail & Vending (Compass Group)

At Amplifi, we’re redefining smart retail and vending through data, technology and consumer‑first thinking. As the smart vending and retail division of Compass Group, we operate at the forefront of automated retail—combining intelligent technology with powerful insights to deliver exceptional commercial performance.

We’re now looking for an experienced Category Insights Director to play a pivotal role in shaping our category and commercial strategy.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Category Insights Director will lead the development of data‑driven category strategies across our smart retail and vending estate. This is a senior, highly influential role with direct impact on business performance, client value and long‑term growth.

You’ll bring together consumer insight, commercial acumen and advanced analytics to optimise assortments, pricing and promotional effectiveness—turning complex data into clear, actionable strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Category Leadership

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to Amplifi’s commercial and growth objectives.
• Identify market opportunities, emerging trends, gaps and risks within smart retail and vending channels.

Insight & Analytics

• Lead the collection, analysis and interpretation of multiple data sources including sales performance, loyalty data, inventory, payment platforms, software systems and external market research.
• Translate insight into clear recommendations that drive revenue, margin and customer engagement.

Consumer & Market Understanding

• Build a deep understanding of consumer behaviour in smart retail and vending environments, including purchasing habits, product preferences, payment choices and interaction with smart technology.
• Track and analyse competitor activity to identify differentiation opportunities.

Assortment, Pricing & Promotions

• Optimise product assortments by location and mission, identifying underperformers and opportunities for innovation.
• Develop and refine pricing strategies based on elasticity, cost structures and perceived value.
• Evaluate promotional and marketing effectiveness, maximising ROI and informing future activity.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Deliver compelling reports and presentations to senior stakeholders, clearly articulating insight, impact and recommendations.
• Provide actionable, client‑facing insight that supports sales growth and profitability.
• Partner closely with sales, marketing, operations, product and technology teams to ensure alignment and execution.

About You

You’ll be a commercially focused, insight‑led leader with a passion for using data to drive strategic outcomes.

Experience & Expertise

• 7‑10+ years’ experience in senior category management, insights or analytics roles within retail, FMCG or a related sector.
• Strong background in client‑facing roles, with a proven ability to influence, advise and build trusted relationships.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Advanced analytical capability, comfortable working with large and complex datasets.
• Expertise in BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau, advanced Excel and statistical tools (R, Python); SQL knowledge advantageous.

Capabilities & Behaviours

• Strategic thinker with the ability to turn insight into clear, commercial action.
• Confident communicator, able to present complex information to executive audiences.
• Proactive problem‑solver with strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Strong understanding of smart retail, vending, automated retail technologies or consumer trends in innovative retail environments.

Why Join Amplifi?

• Be part of a fast‑growing, innovative smart retail and vending business.
• Work at the cutting edge of data‑driven retail within the global Compass Group organisation.
• Influence strategy at the highest level, reporting directly to the Managing Director.
• Shape the future of automated retail through insight, technology and commercial excellence.