Category Manager

Beiersdorf; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading skincare company in Birmingham is seeking a Category Manager to drive sustainable growth through strategic insights and collaboration. You will partner with retail contacts to influence category direction, focusing on data-driven recommendations and operational excellence. Ideal candidates have experience in FMCG or Retail category management, are strong presenters, and able to build trust with stakeholders. The role offers a competitive salary, car allowance, and benefits in a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Defined contribution pension

Car allowance

Private medical & dental insurance

Life assurance

Critical illness coverage

Discounts on products

Hybrid & flexible working

25 days holiday (buy & sell)

Free Head Office parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management (FMCG or Retail).
• Strong customer-facing experience with ability to influence and build trust.
• Analytical and data-driven, with ability to simplify complex information into compelling stories.

Responsibilities

• Build strong partnerships with Buyers and Range Planners.
• Provide shopper-led recommendations that grow the total category.
• Identify and deliver insights for promotional optimisation.

Skills

Category Management

Customer-facing experience

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Job description

At Beiersdorf, we want to help people feel good about their skin – and our commitment goes far beyond caring for skin. For 140 years, we have developed innovative skin and body care products for well-known brands such as NIVEA, Eucerin and Elastoplast.

As Category Manager you will act as the trusted advisor to our retail partners, driving sustainable category growth through actionable insights, shopper understanding, and collaborative strategies that align with both Beiersdorf and retailer objectives. The role plays a pivotal part in steering conversations and shaping strategic direction both internally and externally, ensuring the category agenda is embedded across customer and business priorities.

Your Tasks

• Build strong, trusted partnerships with Buyers, Range Planners, and wider retailer contacts to unlock category growth opportunities.
• Bring objective, evidence based & shopper-led recommendations that grow the total category (not just your brands).
• Proactively identify and deliver insights to influence ranging, promotional optimisation, merchandising flow, competitor benchmarking, and alignment with retailer strategy.
• Land assortment & planogram changes (range reviews, flow, adjacencies); measure post-implementation results.
• Translate Insights into Actions: Confidently analyse and interpret data sources (Nielsen, Kantar, Retailer EPOS/loyalty, shopper insights) to generate actionable recommendations.
• Implement OPEX recommendations in customers, supporting operational excellence in execution.
• Lead the customer partnership agenda, influencing short- and long-term strategies for joint business growth.
• Lead customer-facing storytelling: influence buyers, merch, and digital teams with compelling, evidence-led narratives and execution roadmaps.
• Play a critical role in NPD go-to-market strategy, ensuring tailored sell-in and execution.
• Work closely with internal Account Managers, Marketing, and Shopper Marketing teams on aligned KPIs and engagement strategies.
• Be the voice of the customer internally, highlighting key drivers of performance, opportunities, and risks.
• Coach and mentor Category Executives, supporting team capability building.
• Build and deliver eCommerce insights to unlock category growth opportunities.

Your Profile

• Proven experience in Category Management (FMCG or Retail).
• Strong customer-facing experience with ability to influence and build trust.
• Analytical and data-driven, with ability to simplify complex information into compelling stories.
• Excellent presenter and storyteller, comfortable with senior stakeholders.
• Proactive, commercial, and performance-driven.
• Collaborative team player, able to work cross-functionally and drive results.
• Comfortable working with both in-store and eCommerce category dynamics.

Additional Information

At Beiersdorf, we see you as a person – far beyond your title or role. Our goal is to provide the flexibility and support you need for your professional and personal success through our work environment. That is why we have a lot to offer!

• We offer a competitive salary along with an annual bonus (subject to conditions).
• Defined contribution pension
• Car allowance
• Private medical & dental insurance
• Life assurance
• Critical illness
• Discounts on products
• Hybrid & flexible working
• 25 days holiday (buy & sell holiday)
• Free Head Office parking

We embrace Diversity and Inclusion and are committed to providing equal opportunities to all of our applicants – regardless of race, gender, age, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation & gender identity, disability, cultural, ethnic or national origins.