Senior Category Manager - Major Grocer

Carlsberg Group; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly product allowance

Private medical

Life assurance

Company bonus

24/7 GP services

Pension enhancement

High-street discounts

Job summary

Carlsberg Britvic is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead long‑term growth strategies with major retailers. Based in Hemel Hempstead with hybrid working, you will partner with the Head of Category to shape customer visions and drive insight‑led category plans.

You’ll own annual category plans, translate shopper and market trends into actions, and lead cross‑functional teams across marketing, insights, and sales.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG category leadership with direct responsibility for customer accounts.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and strategic initiatives.
• Comfortable engaging senior-level stakeholders in retail and internal settings.
• Familiarity with market data and space planning tools (e.g., JDA) and customer insight platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the channels/customer category agenda – “maximising today, unlocking tomorrow”.
• Own the strategy and development of annual operating category plans aligned with commercial priorities.
• Translate consumer, shopper, and market trends into strategies that drive category growth and competitive advantage.
• Set direction and lead the team to align with range and space targets, measuring progress and managing communication throughout the business cycle.
• Establish and nurture strategic relationships with key customer stakeholders, co‑creating solutions that improve category performance.
• Lead execution of the customer/channel category roadmap through range reviews and initiatives that maximise point‑of‑purchase outcomes.
• Develop category selling stories and tools, and lead customer immersions to influence implementation of category solutions.

Skills

Category leadership

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

FMCG experience

Education

Degree in Business/Marketing/Economics

MBA preferred

Tools

JDA

Job description

Senior Category Manager (Major Grocer)

Location: Hemel Hempstead – Hybrid

Job Length: Permanent

Working Hours: Full Time

Competitive Salary with extensive benefits:

• Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non‑alcoholic options available
• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Access to a range of high‑street discounts

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi‑beverage supplier in the UK and is home to iconic beers and soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti, Brooklyn, Hobgoblin, Wainwright, J2O, Robinsons, Tango, London Essence, Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the business operates five production facilities and fifteen logistics depots, serving customers across the UK.

About the Role:

As a strategic leader within the category function, the Senior Category Manager works with the Head of Category to set the direction for long‑term growth across key customers and channels.

The role owns the development of customer‑category visions, leads cross‑functional initiatives, and positions Carlsberg Britvic as a trusted advisor to retail partners. You’ll deliver insight‑led strategies that drive category value, accelerate brand growth, and enhance our standing as a partner to customers.

Strong links across marketing, category strategy, insights, commercial operations, and sales teams are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the channels/customer category agenda – “maximising today, unlocking tomorrow”.
• Own the strategy and development of annual operating category plans aligned with commercial priorities.
• Translate consumer, shopper, and market trends into strategies that drive category growth and competitive advantage.
• Set direction and lead the team to align with range and space targets, measuring progress and managing communication throughout the business cycle.
• Establish and nurture strategic relationships with key customer stakeholders, co‑creating solutions that improve category performance.
• Lead execution of the customer/channel category roadmap through range reviews and initiatives that maximise point‑of‑purchase outcomes.
• Develop category selling stories and tools, and lead customer immersions to influence implementation of category solutions.
• Drive category building initiatives and trials (e.g., fixturisation, cross‑category, category relays).
• Advise customers on hot topics such as health and wellness, sustainability, DRS, and HFSS, providing a strong category point of view.
• Line‑manage and mentor Category Managers and Executives, supporting capability development and succession planning.
• Promote a collaborative and high‑performance team culture.
• Champion continuous improvement and learning across the broader function.
• Establish and manage relationships with agency partners such as Dunnhumby, ensuring value from services.
• Partner with Insights, Category Strategy, Sales, and Brand/Channel operations to embed category thinking in brand planning.
• Provide inputs into business cases for NPD and EPD, offering customer insights on marketing opportunities.
• Evaluate action impact, integrating learnings into future planning and representing category leadership on steering groups and forums.
• Set and track performance against space, range, and distribution targets aligned with merchandising blueprints.
• Translate insights into future‑forward planning recommendations and continuous improvement.
• Manage the allocated category development budget, ensuring timely expense completion.
• Deliver volume and value growth targets agreed through the annual operating plan.
• Secure market share through improved distribution, range, and space gains.
• Improve results in the Advantage Group Survey and perfect store measures.
• Enhance employee engagement scores and garner positive feedback.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• Experience in category leadership roles within FMCG, with direct responsibility for customer accounts.
• Proven ability to manage teams and lead strategic, cross‑functional initiatives.
• Comfortable engaging senior‑level stakeholders in retail and internal settings.
• Familiarity with market data, space planning tools (e.g., JDA), and customer insight platforms.

Qualifications:

• Degree‑level education in Business, Marketing, Economics or equivalent; commercial or leadership qualifications (e.g., MBA) preferred.