Category Manager – 6mnth FTC

Company: Vertical Advantage
Apply for the Category Manager – 6mnth FTC
Location: London
Job Description:

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.

Posted: May 25th, 2026