Senior Category Development Manager

Bayer; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare

Pension

Life Insurance

Wellness programs

Employee discount

Career development

Hybrid working

Home office setup

Volunteering days

Learning & development

Job summary

Bayer in Reading, UK is seeking an experienced Senior Category Development Manager to drive category growth with strategic retail partners. This role combines category leadership, customer engagement and data-driven insight to shape winning strategies and strengthen retailer partnerships.

You will develop category strategies, lead reviews and promotions, analyse market trends, and own KPI tracking while collaborating with Sales, Marketing and Category teams.

Qualifications

• Degree with significant experience in Category Management/Development or Sales.
• Minimum 5 years FMCG/Consumer Health experience in the UK.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies with key retail partners.
• Build relationships with buyers and merchandising teams.
• Lead category reviews, promotions, range optimization, and fixtures.
• Analyse market trends and retailer data to identify opportunities.
• Drive category management best practice across Sales, Marketing, and Category teams.
• Own KPI development and performance tracking for brands.

Skills

Category management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Retail partnerships

Presentation skills

Education

Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

IRI

Kantar

Job description

At Bayer, we believe work should matter. Every day, our teams push toward a future where "Health for all, Hunger for none" is within reach, and every role, from the lab to the field to the boardroom, helps us get there. We give people the ownership to shape outcomes, the support to grow through new skills and experiences, and a global community where different perspectives are valued. If you want your work to count and the room to become your best, you'll find it here.

Senior Category Development Manager

Location: Reading, UK (Hybrid Working - 2 days per week in the office)

Shape Category Growth with Bayer

At Bayer, we’re looking for an experienced Senior Category Development Manager to drive category growth with strategic retail partners across the UK. This role combines category leadership, customer engagement, and data-driven insight to help shape winning strategies, strengthen retailer partnerships, and deliver sustainable business growth.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement category strategies and customer plans with key retail partners, translating shopper, market, and category insights into actionable growth opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, senior buyers, merchandising, and planning teams, becoming a trusted category advisor and strategic partner.
• Lead category reviews, promotional evaluations, range optimisation, and fixture recommendations to maximise category performance, shelf presence, and value growth.
• Analyse market trends, shopper behaviour, competitor activity, and retail data to identify opportunities, influence decision‑making, and strengthen Bayer’s category vision.
• Drive category management best practice across the business, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and Category teams to maximise commercial performance and revenue growth.
• Own customer KPI development and performance tracking while playing a key leadership role within local category teams to support strategic decisions for key brands.

Who You Are

• Degree educated with significant experience in Category Management, Category Development, Category Insights, or Sales.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience within FMCG, Consumer Health, OTC, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of the UK retail environment and category management principles.
• Experienced in building strategic retail partnerships and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Highly analytical, with expertise in shopper, market, and retail insights.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using data and insight platforms such as IRI, Kantar, or similar tools.

Why Join Bayer?

At Bayer, we’re committed to helping our employees grow their careers while making a positive impact. You’ll join a collaborative team where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your work contributes to ensuring products reach customers when they need them most.

We value our employees and believe that rewarding your contributions is essential to our shared vision.

Discover the exceptional benefits awaiting you as a valued member of #Teambayer.

The best possible work-life balance is of great importance to us, which is why we support flexible hybrid working model.

Your Application

“Be You” at Bayer where you have the opportunity to be part of our culture influencing Health for all and Hunger for none.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary you can expect: Min £65,000 - £72,000 pa depending on experience. Salary reviews take place annually in April.

• Competitive compensation package consisting of an attractive base salary and annual company bonus.
• Individual bonus can also be granted for top Talent Impact
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Healthcare, generous pension scheme and Life Insurance
• Wellness programs and support
• Employee discount scheme
• International career possibilities
• Flexible and Hybrid working
• Help with home office equipment
• Volunteering days
• Support for professional growth in a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• We welcome and embrace diversity providing an inclusive working environment

Division: Consumer Health

Reference Code: 894983