Senior Category Manager (Reading, GB, RG2 6GP)

Biopharma Careers; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (office 3 days)

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Job summary

STADA UK Thornton & Ross is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead strategic partnerships with key customers and accelerate growth across Consumer Health brands. You will drive category leadership, strengthen customer relations, and improve in-market execution with data-driven insights.

The role involves partnering with customers on range reviews, shopper insights, and planograms, while working within a hybrid structure in Reading.

Qualifications

• University degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field (preferred).
• Experience in FMCG, Consumer Health, or a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Strong drive, ambition, and results-oriented mindset.
• High adaptability and ability to thrive in change.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead strategic category partnerships with key customers.
• Drive category growth and improve shelf presence across channels.
• Define and track category KPIs and performance for brands.
• Translate insights into actionable recommendations for customers.
• Collaborate with Account Managers to maximise category opportunities.

Skills

Marketing acumen

Commercial mindset

Strong communication

Education

University degree in Marketing, Business, Communications

Job description

STADA UK Thornton & Ross - Senior Category Manager

Reading |U.K.| Full-time | Permanent

STADA UK Thornton & Ross is on an exciting growth journey with more than 700 employees being fully committed to our purpose of Caring for people's Health as a Trusted Partner. Together we are shaping the future of Thornton & Ross by living our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA. If you want to work in an open culture where your uniqueness is valued, join our CHC Insights Team.

Role Purpose

The Senior Category Manager will join STADA UK Thornton & Ross at a time of strong momentum, portfolio expansion, and organisational transformation. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in accelerating the growth of our Consumer Health brands by driving category leadership, strengthening customer partnerships, and improving execution across in-market activity.

You will develop and lead category partnerships with key customers, drive category growth, enhance Thornton & Ross brand visibility, and increase share of distribution across channels.

How You Will Make Impact

1. Build & Lead Strategic Category Partnerships

   Establish and independently manage strong category relationships with key customers, ensuring regular engagement supported by objective market and competitor insights. Deliver clear, commercially focused recommendations that drive action across:

   • Range reviews and assortment optimisation
   • Different retail and store formats
   • Online and e-commerce environments
   • Trade and promotional planning

   Ensure insights are translated into actionable strategies that influence customer decisions and category growth.

2. Build Category & Shopper Insight Advantage

   Create a competitive advantage for Thornton & Ross by developing best-in-class category and shopper insight for key customers. Shape and adapt the insight agenda to meet both customer and category needs, including loyalty card data, shopper behaviour, and purchase drivers.

   Develop efficient processes for regular, timely insight delivery and continuously evaluate the ROI of insight investment across customers and categories.

3. Define & Drive Category Performance Metrics

   Define, set, and track category KPIs and performance objectives across all key customers and brands, including:

   • Category and brand growth vs market
   • Thornton & Ross share of distribution
   • In-store and online brand visibility

   Integrate EPOS, category, and shopper data with detailed range and planogram analysis across retail formats to build a holistic view of performance. Share insights internally and collaborate cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement.

4. Influence Customers Through Insight-Led Storytelling

   Develop and deliver compelling category narratives that shape customer thinking around shopper needs and market opportunities. Influence key stakeholders by:

   • Presenting clear, insight-led category recommendations
   • Demonstrating "what good looks like" in-store and online
   • Building impactful visual merchandising concepts and planograms
   • Translating data into engaging, actionable stories that drive change
5. Drive T & R Commercial & Customer Initiatives

   Support the delivery of Thornton & Ross commercial priorities, including channel strategy and sales objectives. Work closely with Account Managers to maximise category opportunities and leverage strong customer relationships to support overall business growth.

What We Are Looking For

At STADA UK Thornton & Ross, we embrace Uniqueness, recognising the value that diverse perspectives bring to our work. Our core values, Entrepreneurship, Integrity, Agility and One STADA, guide how we collaborate and innovate.

We are looking for a candidate who aligns with these values and brings the following:

• University degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field (preferred)
• Experience in FMCG, Consumer Health, or a fast-paced commercial environment
• Strong drive, ambition, and results-oriented mindset
• High adaptability and ability to thrive in change
• Strong numerical and analytical capability
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
• High energy, proactive approach, and eagerness to learn and develop
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

How We Care For You

At Thornton Ross our purpose "Caring for people's health as a trusted partner" motivates us every day. And what would be a better place than starting with our own employees. Which is why we give much in return:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 6% employer contribution rates.
• Hybrid working - we spend three days of your choice in the office, with the remaining days working at home.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Free winter flu jab.
• Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing - offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.
• Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on-site EV charging.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Enhanced Family Leave.
• Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.

STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation. We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength. Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment. We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.