Senior Category Manager

JR United Kingdom; Guildford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global FMCG company seeks an experienced Category Manager/Senior Category Manager to drive strategic initiatives for one of its important UK customers. The role focuses on leveraging market data into insights, leading retailer partnerships, and delivering commercial growth.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a senior category management role within FMCG.
• Strong expertise in interpreting market and shopper data.
• Exceptional communication skills to present insights clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to meet business objectives.
• Lead partnerships with key retailers for growth opportunities.
• Translate data into actionable insights for decision-making.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Influencing

Strategic thinking

Job description

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Our client is a top global FMCG powerhouse, renowned for delivering market-leading food brands across the globe. With a strong commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, they are at the forefront of shaping category thinking and driving commercial success. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that values strategic insight, collaboration, and leadership in the FMCG sector.

Job Role

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager/Senior Category Manager to lead strategic category initiatives while managing the one of the company’s most important UK customers. Reporting to the Head of Category, you will be responsible for translating market data into actionable insights, creating compelling category and range recommendations, and aligning these with retailer strategies. Your focus will be on delivering strategic and financial objectives, driving category and commercial growth, and strengthening internal and external relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to meet UK business and budget objectives
• Lead category partnerships with key retailers, unlocking growth opportunities through insight-driven recommendations
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights to inform category and commercial decision-making
• Act as the voice of the category internally and externally, delivering compelling shopper and consumer rationale
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Innovation, and Commercial teams to embed shopper-centric thinking
• Support customer planning and business development with robust category arguments and insight-led recommendations
• Contribute to business planning by aligning category growth initiatives with strategic brand and customer goals
• Maintain strong relationships with retail partners, agencies, and suppliers to ensure aligned and effective strategies

Requirements

• Proven track record in a senior category management role within FMCG, ideally food or grocery
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in interpreting and leveraging market and shopper data
• Deep understanding of UK retail landscape and key customer strategies
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present data-driven insights clearly and persuasively
• Experience in working cross-functionally to deliver commercial outcomes
• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture and identify long-term opportunities for growth
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple priorities, and deliver to deadlines