Category Manager

Lucy Walker Recruitment; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international consumer products business seeks a Category Manager to drive category growth across the UK and EMEA on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor, analyze performance, and partner with Sales and Marketing for new product launches. This role requires 2-5 years of experience in category management, strong Excel skills and excellent communication capabilities. Willingness to travel across regions is necessary.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years' experience in category management, insights, or a related commercial role.
• Strong communication and storytelling capabilities.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted category advisor to customers and distributors.
• Analyse category, brand, and shopper performance to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop and present clear insights to internal teams and retail buyers.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing on tailored NPD launch planning.

Skills

Category management

Insights analysis

Data storytelling

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

FMCG experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree qualified (or equivalent experience)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

A leading international consumer products business is seeking a Category Manager to drive category growth across the UK and EMEA region on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

Reporting to a senior regional category leader, this role focuses on applying category management best practices, shopper insights, and data-led storytelling to expand range, improve distribution, and support new product launches across multiple markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted category advisor to UK, French, and EMEA customers and distributors
• Analyse category, brand, and shopper performance to identify growth opportunities and risks
• Develop and present clear, compelling insights to internal teams and retail buyers
• Partner with Sales and Marketing on tailored NPD launch planning
• Maintain reporting tools using multiple data sources (e.g. IRI, Nielsen, Kantar)
• Manage insight platforms and support shopper research activities
• Support NPD and innovation through performance analysis and trend identification

Experience & Skills

• 2-5 years' experience in category management, insights, or a related commercial role
• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience)
• Strong Excel skills; good working knowledge of PowerPoint
• Excellent communication and storytelling capability
• Experience in FMCG or consumer-facing industries
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel across the UK, France, and EMEA as required