Category Manager

Arla Foods Plc; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company in Leeds is seeking a Customer Category Controller to shape and execute long-term category strategies and drive growth. You will lead a team, manage relationships with senior stakeholders, and identify opportunities for engagement. The ideal candidate has proven category experience in the FMCG sector and excels in developing impactful strategies. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday & Bank Holidays

Hybrid & Flexible working

Pension contribution matched up to 6%

Company car

Health insurance (BUPA)

Bonus scheme

Free onsite gym

Access to discounted products

Training and development commitment

Flexible benefits scheme

Christmas cheese hamper

Qualifications

• Proven category experience within an FMCG environment.
• Strong background in developing customer category strategies with clear commercial impact.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to execution.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute long-term category strategies.
• Identify growth opportunities using market insights.
• Lead a diverse team of 4 including 3 Customer Category Managers.

Skills

Proven category experience within an FMCG environment

Strong background in developing customer category strategies

Ability to translate data & insights into actionable plans

Skilled in leading and coaching high-performing teams

Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach

Job description

Customer Category Controller- 12 month FTC

Arla Head Office, Leeds

LS10 1AB

Hybrid working pattern

Are you a commercial category leader with a passion for building strong customer relationships to unlock category growth?

Do you inspire and energise teams to deliver results that make a meaningful impact across the organisation?

Overview

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary (salary discussed at application stage)
• 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays
• Hybrid & Flexible working
• Pension contribution matched up to 6%
• A company car to support with travel
• 4 x annual salary life assurance
• BUPA healthcare
• Bonus scheme
• Free to use onsite Gym
• Access to discounted products in our Staff Shop
• People agenda commitment to training and development
• Flexible Benefits - buy up to 5 days additional annual leave, reward gateway scheme - discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform
• Most importantly - Cheese hamper at Christmas!

How will you make an impact?

Reporting to the Customer Development Director, you’ll be responsible for shaping, planning, and executing long-term category strategies and category growth driving tactics with your retailers. Your focus will be on securing sustained customer engagement and delivering mutual growth, by building strong internal and external relationships with senior stakeholders, identifying opportunities for your team to drive and execute, unlocking strategic opportunities with customers, and laying the foundations for the success of your team.

Key responsibilities include;

• Using market, shopper, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and drive outstanding category leadership initiatives, delivering through the team.
• Collaborating across the category function and wider sales & marketing teams to enhance customer execution and Customer Development team ways of working.
• Leading a diverse team of 4, including direct line management of 3 Customer Category Managers.
• Translating Arla’s strategic growth plans into brilliant execution that drives results, influences shopper behaviour, and strengthens our dairy credentials.
• Building strong customer relationships and fostering collaboration.
• Applying a strong understanding of shopper behaviour & retailer needs, leveraging industry connections to stay ahead of evolving trends.

What will make you successful?

• Proven category experience within an FMCG environment.
• Strong background in developing customer category strategies with clear commercial impact.
• Ability to translate data & insights into long term, actionable plans.
• Commercial driven with a focus on delivering growth for Arla and its customers.
• Skilled in leading and coaching high-performing teams, with a passion for development & collaboration.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to execution.

Would you like to join us?

Please apply directly or contact Olivia Pine, Talent Acquisition Partner at Arla Foods, for more information. The closing date for this position is the 24th October 2025 and only CVs sent directly via the link will be considered.