Category Manager - 6mnth FTC

Location: Hybrid

Contract: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Category Manager to join a growing international consumer goods business on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

This role will be responsible for driving category growth across key European retail and distributor partners through shopper insights, category analysis, promotional evaluation, and customer-focused recommendations.

Working closely with Sales, Marketing, and external partners, you'll help shape category strategies, influence customer plans, and deliver actionable insights that drive commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate category and shopper insights from multiple data sources to identify growth opportunities.
• Partner with commercial teams to develop customer strategies, trade plans, and category recommendations.
• Analyse retail, market, and distributor performance data to support decision-making.
• Lead promotional planning reviews and post-activity evaluation to measure ROI and effectiveness.
• Build compelling customer presentations to support range reviews, product launches, merchandising recommendations, and category growth initiatives.
• Develop and communicate category management plans to distributors and retail partners across multiple markets.
• Collaborate with shopper marketing teams to ensure best-in-class execution of customer activity plans.
• Manage and maintain category and market data platforms, ensuring accurate reporting and analysis.
• Represent the category function in customer, sales, and cross-functional meetings.
• Champion category management principles and help embed best practice across the organisation.

About You

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confident creating impactful presentations in PowerPoint.
• Proven experience within Category Management, Shopper Marketing, Category Development, or Insights roles.
• Strong understanding of retail environments and customer-facing category strategies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially minded, proactive, and confident influencing both internal and external stakeholders.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Experience Required

• Degree educated or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience within Category Management or Shopper Insights.
• Experience working across international markets and distributor-led routes to market.
• Previous people management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of syndicated data sources such as Nielsen, Circana/IRI, Kantar, GfK, IQVIA, or equivalent market data platforms.