Category Manager UK&I, and Nordics - Exclusive New

Job Description

We are supporting a global leader in the consumer goods industry in their search for a Category Manager – UK&I and Nordics to join their team in Richmond, UK.

This is a high-impact role at the heart of the commercial organisation, bridging sales, marketing, insights, and retail activation. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the company's go-to-market strategy through data-driven recommendations, shopper-centric planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key responsibilities of the Category Manager:

• Insight & data leadership: Act as the internal expert on shopper behaviour, store layout, and fixture strategy (SBD/SWS). Source and analyse data from Nielsen, Circana, and Kantar to generate actionable insights and trend analysis

• Range & space optimisation: Lead the end-to-end range review process across key retailers. Provide tailored recommendations based on shopper needs, customer-specific briefs, and commercial impact. Build planograms and manage all aspects of equipment and fixture execution

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with sales, marketing, and external agency partners to deliver integrated category solutions. Manage project timelines, budgets, and supplier contracts (e.g. fixture manufacturers and data providers)

• Post-implementation analysis: Evaluate category initiatives and store changes through robust post-launch reviews to drive continuous improvement and ROI

• External engagement: Act as a trusted category partner to major retail customers. Present compelling, insight-led recommendations to influence business decisions and strengthen long-term relationships

Key requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in category management and/or shopper insights, ideally within the FMCG industry

• Proven ability to translate data into clear, strategic business recommendations

• Familiarity with Circana/Nielsen/Kantar tools; experience with JDA Prospace or NexGen is a plus

• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets and external vendors

• Excellent Excel and Microsoft 365 skills

• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder engagement skills

• Self-starter with a high sense of ownership, project leadership, and delivery focus

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field

• Willingness to travel to customer sites as needed

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.