Category Manager

Saputo Dairy UK; Weybridge; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Hybrid working 4 days in office

Progression opportunities

Enhanced pension contributions

Health cash plan

Thrive wellbeing app

Long service recognised every 5 years

Life assurance 4x pay

Discounted branded products

Free on-site parking

Subsidised staff restaurant

25 holidays + 8 bank holidays

Staff Shop discounts

Job summary

Saputo UK is seeking a category management professional to partner with strategic retailers and lead portfolio items in a high-performing team. You will use data-driven insights to shape product ranges, promotions and merchandising, delivering results.

The role emphasizes collaboration, ownership, and delivering win‑win outcomes for customers and Saputo. Hybrid working, strong progression opportunities, and a supportive benefits package are provided.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in an FMCG environment.
• Strong relationships with retailers and internal stakeholders.
• Data-driven with ability to translate data into clear recommendations.
• Experience in developing and reviewing category plans and range reviews.
• Knowledge of merchandising and POS planning.
• Ability to turn external data into actionable insights.
• Ambitious, hands-on, ownership-focused.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with strategic retailers, providing category management expertise across product, price, promotions, range, merchandising, and shoppers.
• Build internal and external relationships with a clear contact strategy.
• Act as voice of customers to align strategy for win-win outcomes.
• Lead internal category initiatives for key portfolio areas.

Skills

FMCG experience

Retailer relationships

Data analysis

Category management

Merchandising principles

Data tools

Tools

Market data tools

Job description

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best? SDUK's brands include the Nation's favourite cheese brand Cathedral City plus other well‑known butter & spreads (Clover, Country Life, Vitalite, Utterly Butterly), functional ingredients and dairy free products.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to progress their career in category management in a role within our category & insights (C&I) team where you'll be working closely with key retailers and be the internal lead for key portfolio items within a high-performing team that is rapidly gaining recognition for delivering results through analytical excellence & strategic thinking. We have leading brands within key categories (cheese, butter, and spreads), and we over-trade within the retailers you will be working directly with – with strong existing relationship and high engagement levels. The role offers additional variety where you will be working with ready meals (RM), which has notable year-on-year growth – it is an area with significant momentum and is the #1 brand with one retailer, and has recently led to further listings with another. With the continued successes of the C&I team, further data investment has been identified for RM to help move things forward.

YOU'LL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER BY

• Working closely with key strategic retailers, providing category management expertise across a variety of areas / projects (product, price, promotions, range, merchandising, shoppers)
• Building strong relationships internally and externally, with a clear contact strategy
• Being the voice of our customers internally to ensure our strategy aligns and delivers a win-win outcome
• Being the internal category lead for a key strategic part of our portfolio

YOU'RE BEST SUITED FOR THE ROLE IF YOU ARE

• Able to demonstrate a strong record of success in an FMCG environment
• A proven track record of building and developing relationships with retailers
• Data-driven with the ability to handle large amounts of data and able to translate into clear, simple, and specific recommendations
• Experienced in the development implementation and review of category plans and range reviews
• Knowledgeable of merchandising principles and point of purchase planning
• Analytical and proficient in the use of external market data tools with the ability to turn data into insights
• An ambitious and hands-on individual keen to take ownership

WE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING YOU WITH

• Bonus scheme paid quarterly
• Hybrid working approach, minimum 4 days in office, subject to business needs
• Opportunities for progression
• Enhanced employer pension contributions
• Health cash plan - claim money back towards essential healthcare such as dental, eye care etc.
• Access to Thrive 24 hours a day - a leading and NHS clinically approved app which focuses on general wellbeing
• Long service recognised every 5 years
• Life assurance up to 4 x contractual pay
• Discounted branded products
• Free, on-site parking
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• 25 holidays + 8 bank holidays
• My Staff Shop - access to exclusive benefits, free advice and savings - providing great discounts from thousands of the UKs largest retailers & service providers.

We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join our team. To enable you to bring your best we will ensure you are provided with any physical or non-physical adjustments to support your participation in the job application and interview process.

In the UK, Saputo is a producer of leading British food brands and value-added ingredients. We manufacture a range of cheeses, dairy spreads, and dairy-free products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands including Cathedral City, Clover, Country Life, Frylight and Wensleydale. Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help. Making Good Food Is Our Passion, and we do it responsibly. Our caring teams process about 10 billion litres of milk annually into a diversified range of dairy and dairy alternative products sold in over 50 countries. With 54 manufacturing facilities and over 18,100 employees, we operate our leading business in Canada, the USA, Australia, and the United Kingdom. All dairy processors have access to the same raw material and equipment; what distinguishes us is our can-do spirit and our diverse, inclusive work culture that empowers employees to grow in their own way.

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