Category Manager

Kimberly-clark; Walton On The Hill; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer goods company is seeking a category leader to drive growth in Irish retailers. The role involves building relationships, developing data-driven strategies, and collaborating across teams to ensure successful execution of category plans. Candidates should have strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, ideally with experience in the UK FMCG market. This position offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including gym memberships and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Gym memberships

Private medical insurance

Dental cover

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Critical illness cover

Travel insurance

Defined contribution pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in category development or commercial roles, ideally in the UK FMCG market.
• Ability to build persuasive stories from data insights.
• Proven ability to maintain influential business relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead category growth in Irish retailers.
• Build collaborative relationships with retailers.
• Create insight-led selling stories for category initiatives.
• Monitor category trends and translate insights into recommendations.
• Partner with internal teams for execution of plans.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Time management

Problem-solving mindset

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business-an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly-Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world-class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid-2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You'll be part of a high-potential business that combines Kimberly-Clark's iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano's industrial and sustainability leadership. Excited yet? You should be! This is a truly exciting opportunity for people who are passionate about growing their career within the category leadership function. What are we looking for? This is a fantastic opportunity for a results-oriented, self-starter with strong leadership and influencing skills. You'll thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, matrixed environment, bringing fresh thinking and a problem‑solving mindset to every challenge. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of driving category growth by developing and executing strategic, data‑driven initiatives aligned with Kimberly‑Clark's vision. By collaborating closely with our key retail partners in Ireland, you'll shape and implement consumer‑led category plans that deliver sustainable, mutual growth. Working cross‑functionally, you'll ensure alignment and flawless execution of strategies that support long‑term, profitable success. The Role: To lead the business in accelerating growth in Irish retailers through

• Building strong, collaborative relationships with retailers. Influencing partners to adopt joint business plans, including range reviews, merchandising, and promotional strategies.
• Creating compelling, insight‑led selling stories using data from multiple sources to drive category initiatives and secure retailer buy‑in.
• Gaining commitment to joint category plans on key initiatives including range and merchandising
• Monitor and evaluate category, shopper, and competitor trends. Translate insights into actionable recommendations to address opportunities and challenges
• Partner closely with sales, marketing and other internal teams to ensure seamless execution of category plans. You are ambitious and always taking initiative to make things better and bring others along with you. You are ready for a new challenge and want a career with purpose; to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development. Experience in category development or commercial role, ideally within the UK FMCG market
• Highly analytical with experience dissecting data to build persuasive stories
• Proven ability to build and maintain influential business relationships through strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong time management and prioritisation abilities
• Skilled in Microsoft Office; especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Degree‑level educated or equivalent preferred, but not essential. We offer competitive pay and benefits to employees and reward excellence and performance. Our belief in promoting a healthy work‑life balance drives us to support our employees' total well‑being, offering comprehensive benefits not limited to gym memberships, private medical insurance, dental cover, employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, critical illness cover, travel insurance and a market leading defined contribution pension scheme.