Head Of Category

Page Personnel; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

London office

Annual bonus

Enhanced pension

Life assurance

25 days leave

Staff discount

Learning & development

Career progression

Job summary

Page Personnel is seeking an experienced Head of Category for a market-leading FMCG brand based in London. You will lead the Category team to develop shopper, consumer and market insights that drive growth across major UK grocery and retail customers.

You will shape the category strategy, influence customer decisions and ensure a customer- and consumer-led approach to ranging and promotional planning. You will partner with Sales, Marketing and Customer teams to deliver category plans, leverage

Qualifications

• Significant Category Management experience in FMCG/CG
• Leadership experience in Category/Insights/Shopper Marketing teams
• Strong understanding of UK grocery channels (retail/convenience/wholesale/e‑commerce)
• Experience partnering with major retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booker, Co‑op, Ocado)
• Excellent commercial awareness and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills with NielsenIQ, Circana, Kantar and retailer data platforms
• Proven track record delivering category growth and influencing customer strategy
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling to turn data into recommendations
• Experience leading customer-facing category reviews and retail partnerships
• Passion for shopper behaviour, consumer trends and market dynamics

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Category Management function, building a high-performing, insight-led team.
• Own and deliver the category strategy across key UK retail and wholesale customers.
• Advise on shopper/consumer insights and influence business decisions.
• Convert data into actionable recommendations that drive growth.
• Collaborate with National Account Managers on customer-specific category plans.
• Utilise Circana, NielsenIQ, Kantar data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Lead category conversations with major retail partners and strengthen relationships.
• Influence range reviews, promotional strategy and shelf strategy.
• Work with Marketing on innovation launches and category development.
• Present strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Category management

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Retail partnerships

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Tools

NielsenIQ

Circana

Kantar

Job description

• Lead the category strategy for a market-leading FMCG brand
• Shape growth plans and influence major UK retail customers

About Our Client

Our client is a leading FMCG manufacturer with an impressive portfolio of consumer brands sold across all major UK retailers. Driven by innovation and a consumer-first mindset, they are investing heavily in their commercial and category functions to support their next phase of growth.

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Category to join a leading FMCG business.This role sits at the heart of the commercial function, leading the Category team to deliver best-in-class shopper, consumer and market insight that drives growth across major UK grocery and retail customers. Working closely with Sales, Marketing and Customer teams, you will shape category strategy, influence key customer decisions, and ensure the business remains customer and consumer-led in its approach to ranging, promotional planning, category development and growth opportunities.'This is not a procurement, sourcing or supply chain position. It is a customer-facing Category leadership role focused on understanding shoppers, consumers and retailers to unlock commercial growth.'Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Category Management function, creating a high-performing and insight-led team.
• Own and deliver the category strategy across key UK retail and wholesale customers.
• Act as the voice of the shopper and consumer across the organisation.
• Convert consumer, shopper and market data into actionable recommendations that drive growth.
• Partner with National Account Managers and Sales Leadership to develop customer‑specific category plans.
• Leverage data from Circana, NielsenIQ, Kantar and retailer sources to identify trends and opportunities.
• Lead category conversations with major retail partners, building credibility and strengthening customer relationships.
• Influence decisions around range reviews, category vision selling, promotional effectiveness and shelf strategy.
• Collaborate with Marketing teams on innovation launches and category development initiatives.
• Present strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Develop long-term growth plans that support revenue, market share and profitability objectives.

The Successful Applicant

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant Category Management experience within an FMCG or Consumer Goods environment.
• Previous leadership experience managing Category, Insights or Shopper Marketing teams.
• Strong understanding of UK grocery, convenience, wholesale or e-commerce channels.
• Experience partnering with major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booker, Co-op or Ocado.
• Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using NielsenIQ, Circana, Kantar and retailer data platforms.
• A proven track record of delivering category growth and influencing customer strategy.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn data into compelling recommendations.
• Experience leading customer‑facing category reviews and strategic retail partnerships.
• A passion for understanding shopper behaviour, consumer trends and market dynamics.

What's on Offer

• Basic salary of up to £95,000
• Annual performance‑related bonus
• Hybrid working model with a London‑based office
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Staff discount and product allowance
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing FMCG business

Head of Category City of London, England