Advocate Group
Senior Category Manager

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Shape the strategy. Influence the customer. Drive the growth.
The Advocate Group is supporting a key food client in the search for a commercially ambitious Senior Category Manager to take real ownership of category strategy and become a key voice in shaping some of the business’s most important customer relationships.
Joining a successful and growing food business, you’ll sit at the heart of the Commercial team, using consumer, shopper and market insight to influence customer decisions and unlock new growth opportunities across grocery and multiple channels. You won’t simply report on the category - you’ll help shape where it goes.
The opportunity
- Own the category strategy and insight agenda across key UK customers.
- Turn Nielsen, Kantar and market data into clear commercial opportunities.
- Influence customer decisions around ranging, pricing, promotions, merchandising and activation.
- Build compelling category stories and present recommendations directly to customers.
- Develop trusted, senior-level relationships with key retail partners.
- Lead strategic projects across Commercial, Sales and Marketing.
- Coach and develop others within the category function.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What we’re looking for
- You’ll be an experienced Category Manager / Senior Category Manager with strong UK retail exposure and the commercial confidence to challenge, influence and shape customer thinking.
- You’ll combine excellent analytical capability with strong customer presence, knowing how to turn complex data into a compelling story and, more importantly, into action.
- Experience across Nielsen, Kantar, category strategy, customer presentations and ranging/pricing/promotion is essential. People management or coaching experience would be advantageous.


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Why this role?
For the right person, this is much more than a traditional category position. You’ll have genuine autonomy, direct customer influence and the opportunity to shape the commercial direction of a growing Food Business. If this sounds like you please apply or get in touch with John directly.
The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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