Category Manager

Ella's Kitchen; Henley-on-Thames; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in healthy food products is seeking a Category Manager to enhance grocery accounts. The role involves leading category management, utilizing data insights, and fostering relationships with top retailers. Ideal candidates will embody the company's values and possess a proactive mindset.

Benefits

Training and career development

Discretionary bonus

Private medical

Dental

Pension

Holidays

Discounts

Wellbeing events

Qualifications

• Understanding of Category Fundamentals, Management, and Leadership.
• Experience in online retailing.

Responsibilities

• Lead Category management for UK Grocery Accounts.
• Deliver insights from retailer data to drive results.
• Develop relationships with other retailers.

Skills

Relationship-building

Problem-solving

Entrepreneurial mindset

Collaboration

Tools

IRI Plussuite

Dunnhumby

Kantar

Job description

About Ella’s Kitchen

Part of the Hain Celestial Group family of brands, Ella's Kitchen’s mission is to help little ones grow up happy, healthy, and never hungry. Founded in 2006 by Ella's Dad Paul Lindley, the company prioritises health and nutritional value, without compromising on taste or convenience. Ella’s Kitchen is committed to being good in every sense, offering healthy, handy, and fun food that’s environmentally conscious. In 2016, Ella’s Kitchen became a certified B Corporation, demonstrating its commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

We are seeking a brilliant individual who believes in our mission and embodies our values of childlike wonder, teamwork, ownership, inclusion, and curiosity.

About The Hain Celestial Group

Hain Celestial Group is a leading health and wellness company dedicated to inspiring healthier living through better-for-you brands. With a portfolio focused on nutrition and well-being, our products are marketed in over 75 countries. Our brands include Garden Veggie snacks, Terra chips, Earth’s Best, Ella’s Kitchen, and many others.

Our Commitment To Equality, Diversity And Inclusion

We promote a positive culture where everyone can be themselves. We consider all applicants fairly, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity. Please inform us if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Location: Near Henley-on-Thames – flexible working between home and our Barns (minimum 2 days/week).

Reports to: Category Controller (Growing the Category)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Purpose of role:

• Lead Category management for UK Grocery Accounts
• Deliver insights from retailer data to drive results
• Foster a ‘Category-First’ mentality at Ella’s Kitchen
• Support business decisions with category responsibility

Responsibilities:

1) Category Leadership with Top 4 Grocers (50%)

a. Build strong relationships with internal and external teams to understand needs and produce mutually beneficial recommendations.

b. Utilize data sources like IRI and Kantar to identify growth opportunities.

c. Participate in range planning processes.

d. Use Space Planning to measure, identify opportunities, and recommend ranges.

2) Other Retailers (30%)

a. Develop relationships with other retailers to understand their needs and opportunities.

b. Use data to inform recommendations and range planning.

3) Internal Focus (20%)

a. Develop and promote the ‘Category-First’ mindset internally.

b. Equip teams to analyze data and think beyond Ella’s.

c. Advocate for consumer behaviors in shopping and NPD development.

d. Use insights to support sales stories and range architecture.

e. Support NPD projects with relevant data.

Requirements:

• Embody Ella’s Kitchen values
• Understanding of Category Fundamentals, Management, and Leadership
• Proactive, entrepreneurial, and collaborative mindset
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills
• Results-oriented with problem-solving abilities
• Experience in online retailing
• Tech-savvy and system-oriented
• Passion for the brand’s mission

Preferred Experience:

• IRI Plussuite
• i2C
• Dunnhumby
• Kantar
• Space Planning
• Relationships with top supermarkets

Benefits:

• Training and career development
• Discretionary bonus
• Comprehensive benefits including private medical, dental, pension, holidays, discounts, wellbeing events, and more.