Category Manager

Do you love combining data and creativity to build best-in-class category strategies? Thrive on working with top-tier retailers and being the “voice of the shopper”? Fancy shaping the future of a fast-paced, insight-driven category with a supportive, values-led team? If yes – this is the role for you.💼 The Opportunity:We’re looking for a Category Marketing Manager to join our high-performing commercial team in a site-based role in the East Midlands. This is a senior-level position focused on one of the UK’s largest and most influential grocery retailers - Tesco.You'll work cross-functionally with commercial, insight, NPD, and senior leadership to shape and deliver category plans that unlock real growth for both the business and our retail partner. You’ll be a trusted strategic voice, combining shopper insight, retailer understanding, and market data to drive intelligent decisions and long-term value.🛠️ What You’ll Be Doing:Creating and delivering strategic, insight-led category plans that support both our business and Tesco’s growth objectives.Leading regular market and customer reviews, presenting with clarity and impact.Bringing the shopper voice to life, identifying behavioural trends and gaps in knowledge, and working with insight teams to fill them.Supporting the Stage Gate process, ensuring insight informs innovation and NPD briefs at every level.Getting hands-on with merchandising, ranging, and promotion planning to optimise in-store and online performance.Collaborating with internal stakeholders across commercial, technical, and development teams.Supporting and mentoring junior team members to build broader team capability.This is an influential, fast-moving role where insight meets action — and where your voice will genuinely shape category direction at the highest level.🌟 What You’ll Bring:Proven experience in category management within an FMCG environment (manager level or equivalent).Excellent understanding of shopper and market insight tools (Kantar, Dunnhumby, EPOS, etc.).Experience working with UK retail customers, ideally including Tesco.Strong communication and storytelling skills – you can turn data into clear, compelling strategies.A naturally collaborative approach and a hands-on, “can-do” attitude.Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint – you know how to build a killer deck.A full UK driving licence.Bonus if you’ve worked with loyalty card data or have experience mentoring or managing junior colleagues.