Category Executive

Britvic; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Category Executive to drive category growth across Managed Convenience channels. The role involves translating category strategies into commercial execution, optimizing distribution, and building strong customer relationships. Candidates should possess experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and a degree in a related field. This position offers a competitive salary along with extensive benefits, including private medical options, a company bonus scheme, and a generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Monthly product allowance

Private Medical options

Life Assurance

Company bonus scheme

Access to 24/7 GP services

Enhanced pension contribution

Generous holiday (including bank holidays)

Access to high street discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in category management processes and direct customer interaction.
• Ability to extract meaningful insights from data platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work seamlessly across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the customer and channel agenda across Managed Convenience.
• Contribute to annual operating category plans.
• Translate consumer, shopper, and market trends into actionable strategies.
• Champion execution of space, range, and promotional tactics.
• Build and maintain key customer relationships.
• Develop category selling stories and customer immersion experiences.
• Support strategic initiatives around critical industry topics.
• Track performance against distribution, range, and space targets.
• Collaborate to deliver integrated category solutions.

Skills

Experience in FMCG

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication abilities

Collaborative mindset

Commercial acumen

Agile problem-solver

Education

Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics or related field

Tools

Excel

Data platforms (Nielsen, Circana, Lumina, Kantar)

Job description

Job Title: Category Executive
Location: Hemel Hempstead - Breakspear Park
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5
Competitive Salary with extensive benefits:

Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available
Private Medical options
Life Assurance
Company bonus scheme
Access to 24/7 GP services
Enhanced pension contribution
Generous holiday (inc bank holidays)
Access to a range of high street discounts

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brooklyn to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic’s brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the Carlsberg Britvic business includes 5 production facilities and 16 logistics depot’s servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.

About the Role

Join Carlsberg Britvic, one of the world's largest drinks companies formed through the January 2025 acquisition of Britvic by Carlsberg. With our exceptional portfolio of brands enjoyed by millions throughout the UK and a combined Off Trade revenue exceeding £1.4 billion, we're positioned for tremendous growth as a total drinks powerhouse.

As our Category Executive, you'll play a pivotal role in translating category strategies into commercial execution across Managed Convenience channels. Working closely with the Senior Category Manager, you'll drive execution against our market maps to optimize distribution, range, space, and rate of sale. Your deep understanding of shopper behaviors and collaborative approach will help deliver category growth for our customers, secure competitive advantage for our brands, and strengthen Carlsberg Britvic's position as a trusted partner.

This central role connects our planning and execution of commercial initiatives, requiring strong relationships across commercial functions including marketing, category strategy, insights, commercial operations, and sales teams.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the customer and channel agenda across Managed Convenience, including Forecourts, High Street, Travel, Symbol, and Convenience Multiple fascias to maximize current performance while unlocking future growth opportunities
• Contribute to annual operating category plans that drive execution against our category vision, range, and merchandising strategies
• Translate consumer, shopper, and market trends into actionable strategies that drive category growth and competitive advantage
• Champion the execution of space, range, distribution, and promotional tactics in outlet, ensuring alignment with market maps and performance targets
• Build and maintain key customer relationships, serving as the voice of the category and embedding Carlsberg Britvic's thought leadership to improve Advantage Group Survey results
• Develop compelling category selling stories and customer immersion experiences that influence implementation of category solutions
• Support strategic initiatives around critical industry topics including health and wellness, sustainability, Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and High Fat Salt Sugar (HFSS) legislation
• Track performance against distribution, range, and space targets, applying insights to future planning and continuous improvement
• Collaborate across functions to deliver integrated category solutions that drive business growth

Experience and Key Attributes

• Experience in FMCG, retail, or category/insights roles with exposure to category management processes and direct customer interaction
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and ability to extract meaningful insights from data platforms such as Nielsen, Circana, Lumina, and Kantar
• Excellent communication abilities to craft compelling stories and clearly articulate insights both verbally and in written formats
• Collaborative mindset with demonstrated ability to work seamlessly across functions, with suppliers, and customers
• Commercial acumen with understanding of business drivers behind category decisions
• Agile problem-solver who responds quickly to shifting priorities with a passion for continuous learning
• Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Marketing, Economics, or related field; working knowledge of space planning tools (e.g., JDA) and loyalty platforms advantageous

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 of our 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.

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.