Head of Commercial & Category Strategy

Britvic; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - GBP 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company is seeking a Head of Commercial & Category Strategy to manage the development of a three-year strategy and their corresponding narratives. This hybrid role based in Hemel Hempstead emphasizes the importance of stakeholder management, a robust FMCG background, and the ability to transform insights into commercial plans. The company offers competitive salaries and a diverse range of benefits, creating an inclusive environment where all candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Monthly product allowance

Private medical options

Company bonus scheme

24/7 GP services

Enhanced pension contribution

Generous holiday allowance

High street discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in stakeholder management to achieve key business goals.
• Background in FMCG across multiple categories.
• Category management experience with data literacy.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Commercial Strategy & Category Vision team.
• Lead commercial strategy development and planning.
• Act as the go-to expert for total beverages category vision.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Data literacy

Commercial experience

Communication skills

Priority setting

Insight processes understanding

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Head of Commercial & Category Strategy
Location: Hemel Hempstead – Hybrid role
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: Monday – Friday (37.5 hours per week)

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary with extensive benefits including a monthly product allowance (alcoholic & non-alcoholic options), private medical options, life assurance, company bonus scheme, access to 24/7 GP services, enhanced pension contribution, generous holiday (incl bank holidays), and access to a range of high street discounts.

About Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK with iconic brands across beer and soft drinks. The business operates across 5 production facilities and 15 logistics depots serving customers across the UK.

About this role

The Head of Commercial Strategy & Category Vision is responsible for leading the development of the three-year commercial and category strategy for the business. With this agreed, they are accountable for translating it into a compelling narrative (internally and externally), supporting the communication of this, and continuously reviewing the underlying assumptions to determine if updates are required at year-end or during the year.

The Commercial Strategy & Planning team own the development of the longer-term strategic direction and vision, including three-year commercial strategies across the portfolio, price/value setting and guardrails, and both internal and external category narratives. This team are the centre for RGM activities, market insights and intelligence, and total category / channel perspectives.

Role Responsibilities

• Manage the Commercial Strategy & Category Vision team
• Lead 3-5 year commercial strategy development & annual commercial planning, ensuring clear direction into brand and channel strategies & plans
• Lead the development and maintenance of the company’s growth vision for total beverage, and cascade into commercially relevant category strategy for both internal & external audiences
• Develop and maintain commercialised segment strategies (e.g. cola, premium lager)
• Act as priority customers’ “go to” expert for total beverages category vision & advice
• Lead identified internal strategic projects contributing to or resulting from the strategy development

Experience and Key Attributes

• Experienced in stakeholder management/influencing to achieve key business goals
• Extensive FMCG background, ideally across multiple categories and/or channels
• Demonstrable category management experience, including data literacy
• Clear experience of utilising consumer and shopper insights to develop compelling category plans
• Substantial commercial experience within FMCG industry, and ideally with Beer &/or Soft drinks experience
• Ability to develop & commercialise long term strategic plans & category thinking (ideally with P&L experience)
• Effective at prioritisation for self and team with excellent communication skills
• Tenacious and resilient when it comes to resolving business challenges and prepared to use judgement when the need arises
• Ability to prioritise and turn multiple sources of data into clear strategic insights, which translate into actionable commercial plans
• A strong understanding of insight processes and how this information can be used to create strategic recommendations across a variety of different channel clusters
• Intimately understands channel, brand and consumer mission dynamics
• A flair for storytelling, delivering key messages into logical and compelling structures
• Ability to build strong cross functional relationships and deliver trust/credibility

Next steps

Interested in finding out more? Apply today and a member of the recruitment team will be in touch!

Application Process

We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion: We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences — including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do.

We are happy to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please do let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.