Category Strategy Manager

• Develop Category Vision & Strategies
• Work with the Head of Category Strategy to create our category vision in priority categories such as Savoury, Sweet and Confectionery
• Help to define the strategic role of each category within the portfolio, including innovation, pricing, and promotional architecture
• Support the creation & execution of multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives and customer needs
• Develop Category Growth Drivers with clear narrative for Cat Dev to take externally to customers
• Setting Consistent Standards & Narratives
• Setting Point of Purchase Standards by channel & category via the creation of category playbooks
• Influence macro space positively for pladis categories directly with key customers, and with CatDev to execute across channels and retailers
• Develop POV narrative for major Macro retail challenges (eg LHF / GLP-1)
• Provide customer-centric Shopper narratives aligned to pladis plans for CatDev to tailor by customer
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with the marketing team to ensure category & pladis opportunities are realised by influencing both the NPD pipeline & shopper/consumer marketing activities & choices
• Partner with Commercial Operations to optimise pricing, pack architecture, and trade investment
• Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Insights, Finance, Cat Dev and Supply Chain to ensure integrated commercial plans are developed and delivered
• Work with Brand & Commercial Excellence to advise on pladis NPD, including distribution & ROS assumptions in consultation with CatDev on specific customers
• Insights & Analysis
• Leverage consumer, shopper, and market insights to inform category strategy and drive data-led decision-making
• Ensure a unified approach to business insights, reducing silos and promoting one version of the truth
• Team Contribution
• Actively support capability building within the category strategy function
• Contribute to a high-performance culture through collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field
• Understanding and experience of the UK FMCG market
• Proven understanding of category management principles and execution, including a broad numerical & analytical background
• Ideally minimum 2 years category management (or commercial / commercial operations) experience
• Strategic mindset - capable of transforming brands from products into compelling consumer experiences and scalable growth platforms
• Proven ability to analyse complex data sets and turn them into clear and useful insights which translate into actionable strategies
• Story Telling - Strong communication, presentation & influencing skills with a proven record of delivery
• Good relationship building skills with partners
• Proficient knowledge of data sets spanning but not limited to JDA, Nielsen, Kantar, Dunnhumby
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Knowledge of consumer behaviour, shopper & retail dynamics, and market trends
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment