Category Insights Manager

Advocate Group; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Group is partnering with an iconic global FMCG business to recruit a Category Insights Manager who will shape how the organisation understands shoppers, customers and category performance across EMEA.

You will combine analytical excellence with commercial thinking, turning complex data into compelling stories that drive action and growth across multiple markets.

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Insights, Shopper Insights or Customer Insights within FMCG.
• Expert-level NielsenIQ knowledge and using syndicated data for commercial decisions.
• High analytical ability to interrogate large datasets and identify trends.
• Proven experience leading research projects and managing external agencies or data providers.
• Excellent presentation and storytelling skills to make complex data accessible and actionable.
• Confident in influencing senior stakeholders and working in a matrix/HQ environment.
• commercially minded and autonomous, shaping future research priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the EMEA category and shopper insights agenda to drive growth and performance.
• Analyse NielsenIQ and other data to uncover category trends and opportunities.
• Translate datasets into clear presentations and recommendations for senior stakeholders and partners.
• Lead end-to-end shopper research projects from questions to delivery of insights.
• Build understanding of shopper journeys and purchase drivers across channels and markets.
• Manage relationships with external research providers to maximise data value.
• Partner with Commercial, Trade Marketing and Consumer Insights teams to embed insights into planning.
• Identify gaps in knowledge and shape future research priorities.

Skills

Category insights

NielsenIQ knowledge

Analytical thinking

Research project leadership

Presentation storytelling

Stakeholder influencing

Commercial mindset

Research platforms experience

Tools

NielsenIQ

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.