Job Specifications
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Date: 6 Feb 2026
Location: Hemel Hempstead, GB, HP2 4TZ
Company: Britvic
Job Title: Category Manager
Location: The primary location for this role is Hemel Hempstead; however, due to the nature of the position, we are open to applications from across the UK. Occasional travel to the head office will be required for team meetings.
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5Competitive 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
Following the acquisition of Britvic by Carlsberg in January 2025, Carlsberg Britvic has emerged as one of the world's largest drinks companies, boasting an impressive portfolio of brands enjoyed by millions across the UK throughout their day.
As Category Manager, you'll be an integral part of our commercial growth engine, translating strategy into execution and serving as the commercial lynchpin between customer-specific insight, brand opportunities, and in-outlet activation. You'll develop collaborative relationships with retailers and internal partners to deliver robust category plans, identify growth levers, and shape customer agendas that elevate our brands while enhancing our position as a trusted partner.
Working primarily with small store and convenience customers, you'll focus on 'maximizing today and unlocking tomorrow'.
Role Responsibilities
Establish strategic relationships with key customer stakeholders, positioning Carlsberg Britvic as a trusted category authority and co-creating impactful solutions that enhance category performance
Translate consumer, shopper, and market trends into channel and customer strategies that drive category growth and competitive advantage
Lead the execution of category roadmaps through range reviews and initiatives that maximize point-of-purchase outcomes across distribution, range, space, and rate of sale
Develop compelling category selling stories and customer immersion experiences designed to influence implementation of category solutions and strategies
Lead strategic agendas on critical topics including health and wellness, sustainability, deposit return schemes (DRS), and high fat salt sugar (HFSS) legislation
Partner with Insights, Category Strategy, Sales, and Brand/Channel operations teams to embed category thinking in brand planning and commercial execution
Set, track, and evaluate performance against space, range, and distribution targets aligned to our range and merchandising blueprints
Mentor and develop team members while championing category capabilities across functions
Manage allocated category development budgets effectively against agreed customer data contracts and research projects
Experience and Key Attributes
3-5 years' experience in category, customer marketing, or commercial roles within FMCG or similar sectors, with a proven track record of working directly with customers
Strong category management expertise with excellent command of space and range principles and analytical skills to synthesize insights from syndicated and shopper data
Outstanding communication and influencing abilities, with credibility in front of customers and the capacity to build and maintain strategic relationships
Commercial acumen with understanding of key financial levers and how to optimize them through customer planning and negotiation
Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Marketing, Economics, or related field
Experience with space planning tools (e.g., JDA) and customer insight platforms such as dunnhumby and PowerBI is desirable
Adaptability and composure in a fast-paced environment, with openness to evolving business priorities and routes to market
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 coll