Category Development Manager (Grocery) - Food and Drink
Location
Berkshire
Specialism
Category Management, Category & Shopper Insights
Contract
Permanent
Start Date
ASAP
Salary
£60000 - £62000 per annum + Bonus + Benefits
Ref
1697_1780568997
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Category Development Manager to join a global leader in the food & beverage industry. This business operates across over 100 markets worldwide and holds a portfolio of some of the most iconic beverage brands in the UK.
With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, this company combines genuine scale with an entrepreneurial, fast-paced culture. It's an environment where category expertise is valued, and where the Category Development Manager will have real influence with both internal stakeholders and major retail partners.
The Role
The Category Development Manager will sit within the Category Development & Shopper Marketing team, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and key retail customers to deliver category growth strategies. This is a highly visible, commercially focused position where analytical rigour meets storytelling and influence.
Reporting to the Category Controller, the Category Development Manager will be responsible for developing customer-specific category strategies grounded in shopper insight and robust data analysis. The role requires strong external engagement, with the successful candidate positioning the business as a trusted category advisor and supplier of choice.
Key Responsibilities
- Build trusted, strategic relationships with key grocery retail customers and lead the delivery of category vision aligned to their business objectives
- Lead range reviews, assortment planning, and space optimisation across physical and online channels
- Analyse shopper behaviour, market trends, and performance data to identify growth opportunities and improve profitability
- Drive promotional effectiveness analysis and provide clear recommendations on what to stop, start, or continue
- Deliver compelling insights and storytelling to influence decision-making with both customers and senior internal stakeholders
- Support new product launches, distribution strategies, and SKU rationalisation through Product Quadrant Analysis
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Category Strategy teams to ensure alignment and commercial impact
The Ideal Candidate
- You will bring proven experience in Category Development or Category Strategy within FMCG.
- A strong understanding of the UK retail landscape, shopper behaviour, and how to work effectively with customers is essential.
- Advanced analytical skills are key-this role requires someone who can interrogate complex datasets and translate findings into clear, actionable insights.
- Experience with data tools such as Nielsen, IRI, Kantar, or Dunnhumby is highly desirable, alongside excellent Excel and PowerPoint capabilities.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills are critical, as is the confidence to present to both customers and senior leadership.
Location: Berkshire
Package: £60,000 - £62,000 + Bonus + Benefits
