Category Insights Manager

The Advocate Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advocate Group is assisting a global FMCG leader to appoint a Category Insights Manager. You will lead the EMEA category and shopper insights agenda, turning data into compelling, actionable stories for senior stakeholders and retail partners.

Using NielsenIQ and other syndicated data, you will uncover trends, drive growth opportunities and collaborate with Commercial, Trade Marketing and Customer Insights teams to embed insights into business planning.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Category/Shopper/Customer Insights, preferably FMCG.
• Expert-level NielsenIQ knowledge for using syndicated data to guide decisions.
• Analytical thinker able to interrogate large datasets and spot trends.
• Experience leading research projects and managing external agencies/providers.
• Excellent presentation and storytelling skills to make complex info accessible and actionable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the EMEA category and shopper insights agenda to drive growth and commercial performance.
• Analyse NielsenIQ and other syndicated data to uncover category trends and opportunities.
• Translate complex data into clear presentations and recommendations for senior stakeholders and retailers.
• Lead end-to-end shopper research projects from briefing agencies to delivering insights.
• Build understanding of shopper journeys and drivers across channels and markets.
• Manage relationships with external research providers to maximise data value.
• Partner with Commercial, Trade Marketing and Customer Insights teams to embed insights into planning.

Skills

Category insights

Analytical

Presentation skills

Storytelling

Stakeholder management

Commercial mindset

Tools

NielsenIQ

Kantar

Circana

IRI

dunnhumby

Job description

Build insight. Shape strategy. Drive growth.

We're partnering with an iconic global FMCG business to recruit a Category Insights Manager, offering the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how the organisation understands shoppers, customers and category performance across EMEA.

We're looking for someone who can go beyond the numbers - combining strong analytical expertise with commercial thinking and the ability to turn complex data into compelling stories that drive action.

The Role

• Develop and lead the EMEA category and shopper insights agenda, identifying opportunities to drive growth and strengthen commercial performance.
• Analyse NielsenIQ and other syndicated data to uncover category trends, shopper behaviours and commercial opportunities.
• Translate complex datasets into clear, compelling presentations and recommendations for senior stakeholders, Sales teams, retailers and external partners.
• Lead end-to-end shopper research projects, from defining business questions and briefing agencies through to analysis and delivery of actionable insights.
• Build a deeper understanding of shopper journeys, purchase drivers and barriers across different channels, markets and retail environments.
• Manage relationships with external research providers, ensuring the business maximises the value of its data and research investment.
• Partner with Commercial, Trade Marketing, Consumer Insights and Category Development teams to embed insights into business planning and customer strategies.
• Proactively identify gaps in existing knowledge, challenge current thinking and shape future research priorities.

About You

• Strong experience in Category Insights, Shopper Insights or Customer Insights, ideally within FMCG.
• Expert-level NielsenIQ knowledge, with experience using syndicated retail data to inform commercial decisions.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to interrogate large datasets and identify meaningful trends and opportunities.
• Proven experience leading research projects and managing external agencies or data providers.
• Excellent presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to make complex information accessible, engaging and commercially relevant.
• Confident influencing senior stakeholders and collaborating across a matrix or central/HQ environment.
• Proactive, commercially minded and comfortable working in a role where you have the autonomy to shape the agenda.
• Experience with Kantar, Circana, IRI, dunnhumby or similar research and analytics platforms would be advantageous.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.