Head of Category UK&I

General Mills - Europe/Australasia; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company is seeking a Head of Category UK&I in Uxbridge to shape the category vision and drive growth across the region. This role involves managing a team, developing strategies based on shopper insights, and fostering strong customer partnerships. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in Category Management and excellent leadership skills. A hybrid work policy and various employee benefits are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health and Dental Insurances

Employee Assistance Program

Enhanced pension contributions

2 extra days for volunteering

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in Category Management.
• Proven record of developing strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Understands the market landscape with a customer-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the long-term category vision and driving growth.
• Manage and develop a team of six category professionals.
• Champion shopper insights to unlock growth opportunities.

Skills

Experience in Category Management

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent analytical skills

Proficiency in data tools

Leadership and team building

Communication and influencing ability

Job description

Overview

Great things are happening in the Europe and Australia (EUAU) region. Each day, our 2,500 plus colleagues bring their passion to our offices, manufacturing sites, R&D center, and commercial/distributor markets across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. We are energized by over 150 years of bringing people together with the food they love. With beloved brands Old El Paso, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Fibre One, Latina Fresh and more, we are on a mission to become the undisputed growth leader in food for EUAU. In a world that’s ever-changing, we look to stay ahead and seek people who share our love of food and are hungry to shape the future.

Are you ready to shape the future of Category Management in one of the most dynamic markets? We’re looking for a Head of Category UK&I to lead our long-term category vision and accelerate growth across the region. This is a high-impact, externally focused role where you’ll build strong customer partnerships, deliver category-led initiatives, and unlock shopper insights that fuel sustainable business success.

This is more than a leadership role—it’s a chance to shape strategy, inspire a talented team, and strengthen partnerships that will define the future of our categories in UK&I.

What your role is

As Head of Category UK&I, you’ll take the lead in shaping the long-term category vision and driving growth across the region. From monthly performance tracking to annual planning, you’ll ensure category strategy is at the heart of the business cycle.

Externally focused, you’ll work hand-in-hand with priority customers, leading range reviews and category-led growth initiatives that strengthen partnerships and deliver real commercial impact.

This is also a leadership role at its core. You’ll manage and develop a team of six category professionals, fostering a high-performance culture where capability, consistency, and engagement are front and centre.

You’ll champion shopper insights across the business, translating consumer and shopper behaviour into actionable strategies that unlock growth opportunities and elevate execution across UK&I.

What you will bring to the team

You’ll bring at least 5 years of experience in Category Management, with a proven record of developing strategies that deliver measurable results. Strong commercial acumen, excellent analytical skills, and proficiency in data tools will enable you to turn insight into action.

Just as important are your leadership skills—you know how to build, inspire, and grow high-performing teams.

With exceptional communication and influencing ability, you’re confident working across functions and engaging senior stakeholders. You understand the market landscape, are passionate about shopper and consumer behaviour, and bring a true customer-first mindset to everything you do.

What you get from us

Work with Heart - offers us flexibility that also requires partnership to ensure we regularly come together in person for those moments that help drive our business forward. Our hybrid work policy means an average of 2 days per week in the office, with the opportunity to finish at 15:00 on Fridays.

Wellbeing - We want our people to feel well and thrive, for this we offer a free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members, ongoing activities, Employee Assistance Program and more.

Bonus - Our people are at the heart of what makes General Mills great, so when goals are reached, you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.

Health & Dental Insurances – All colleagues get the opportunity to join our insurances from day one.

Family & Carers Leave - Every family is unique. Our approach allows every family to have the opportunity to spend quality time off to support them from the point of birth or adoption to care, with enhanced covers.

Enjoy other perks like enhanced pension contributions, subsidised canteen, access to both peer-to-peer recognition and discount platforms, 2 extra days for volunteering work, and more...