Category Manager

Samworth Brothers; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in the UK is looking for an experienced Category Manager to join their dynamic Commercial Team. The ideal candidate will have proven category management experience in the FMCG sector, particularly with own label products, alongside strong analytical and communication skills. This role will involve leading customer-focused category plans and collaborating across teams, providing an engaging work environment with opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Enhanced pension scheme

Private health scheme

Employee discount scheme

Annual pay reviews

Profit-related pay

Training and growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven category management experience, particularly with own label in food & beverage.
• Strong analytical skills using various insight tools.
• Excellent communication skills to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of customer-focused category plans.
• Drive market and category reviews with retail partners.
• Support the mentoring of Category Executives.

Skills

Category management experience in FMCG

Analytical skills with insight tools

Communication and presentation skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint

Detail-oriented and organized

Tools

EPOS

Kantar

Dunnhumby

Mintel

Job description

About The Role

Join the Samworth Brothers Team and become part of our dynamic family! At Samworth Brothers, we genuinely care about our colleagues and strive to create an engaging environment that values your unique contributions. We are committed to your success and offer a range of exceptional benefits that support your life and personal aspirations.

• Enhanced pension scheme
• Private health scheme
• Employee discount scheme
• Experience annual pay reviews
• Profit related pay
• Unlock your potential through training and growth opportunities

The Opportunity

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for category management and shopper insight? Do you thrive in a fast‑paced FMCG environment and want to make a real impact in a growing business with a rich heritage? Walkers Deli & Sausage Co., a proud part of Samworth Brothers, is looking for an experienced Category Manager to join our dynamic Commercial Team. With roots dating back to the 1820s and a strong track record of growth, we supply premium sausages, sliced cooked meats, BBQ, pâté, protein snacks, and more to major UK retailers.

• Lead the development and delivery of customer‑focused category plans.
• Drive regular market and category reviews with key retail partners.
• Champion shopper insight and influence NPD briefs and internal processes.
• Collaborate across teams to support the “One Samworth” approach.
• Mentor and support Category Executives and contribute to team development.
• Own merchandising strategies, data accuracy, and strategic planning.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven category management experience in FMCG, with essential own label experience in food & beverage.
• Strong analytical skills using EPOS, Kantar, Dunnhumby, Mintel, and other insight tools.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholder influence.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; detail‑oriented and organised.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel to Leicester HQ and customer sites.

We also want you to thrive in an engaging and inclusive work culture where you will have the opportunity to take on personal accountability and take pride in your work. We encourage positive communication, and the building of strong collaborative relationships is essential to every role.

Join us at Samworth Brothers, where you’ll be more than just a team member – you’ll be an integral part of our thriving family. Apply today and embark on an exciting journey with us!

About Us

We are a fourth‑generation family business producing high‑quality own‑label products for many of the UK’s best‑known retailers along with our own brands including Ginsters, Soreen, Higgidy, Dickinson & Morris, Urban Eat, West Cornwall Pasty Company and Walker & Son. We employ over 10,000 people in well‑invested modern food manufacturing sites around the country. At Samworth Brothers we take pride in our family feel within our businesses and work together to make things happen. We can offer you the stability of a wider group as well as the opportunities that that offers if you wish to progress your career with us. We are family and we would like to invite you to be part of that and support our teams in delivering great products to all of our customers.