Head of Category and Brand Category Management - #147748

Head of Category & Brand Category Development – Med Deli

Location: UK (Hybrid with travel to key sites, including to Redhill in Surrey as a weekly requirement)

Industry: Chilled Food / FMCG

Package: Competitive Level Salary + Car Allowance + Bonus + Benefits

Shape the Future of an Innovative Chilled Food Category – Through Brand & Category Insight Leadership

Are you a strategic leader in category and consumer insight, passionate about unlocking growth through a deep understanding of shoppers, data, and brand dynamics? Do you have the vision, analytical acumen, and influencing power to define “what’s next” in a fast-paced, flavour-led market?

At The Compleat Food Group, we're looking for a Head of Category & Brand Development to lead our Med Deli and Dips categories – bringing clarity to complexity, elevating consumer thinking, and powering cross-functional decisions that deliver real commercial and brand impact.

Who We Are Looking For

• Proven leadership in Category Management, Consumer Insight or Strategic Brand Planning, ideally within FMCG or chilled food.
• Expert ability to synthesise data from multiple sources into a compelling narrative – from EPOS, Kantar, Nielsen to bespoke research.
• Strategic mindset with hands-on experience influencing brand positioning, retailer strategies, and innovation priorities.
• Skilled in using tools such as IRI, Dunnhumby, Power BI, or similar visualisation platforms.
• Deep experience in qualitative and quantitative research management.
• A collaborative, confident communicator – comfortable working cross-functionally and navigating matrix structures.
• A proven track record of influencing decision-makers at all levels, including executive and board level.
• Driving Licence with flexibility to travel to our sites across the UK in particular our Redhill location in Surrey weekly.
  
  

The Role – What you will be doing : Driving Strategic Brand & Category Growth

As the senior leader for category and insight in the Med Deli business unit, you will:

• Champion consumer, shopper and market insight as the foundation for growth – shaping the category vision and leading brand strategy.
• Own the “voice of the consumer” and turn data into action – distilling complex analytics into sharp commercial recommendations.
• Lead total category KPI tracking, consumer behaviour analysis and macro trend monitoring to drive short- and long-term planning.
• Influence at the highest level – partnering with the Commercial Director, Brand, Category, and Development teams to embed insight into every growth decision.
• Be the go-to leader for strategic thinking in category evolution, retailer engagement, and innovation alignment.
• Lead and manage consumer research projects, identify key behavioural shifts, and influence how we evolve our shopper profiles and brand experiences.
  
  

Why Compleat Food Group? Why Now?

We’re entering a pivotal phase of brand and category transformation. As Head of Category & Brand Development, you’ll be instrumental in setting the standards for insight-led decision-making and will help define our next wave of innovation and growth in a category ripe with opportunity.

You'll work in a purpose-led organisation that champions bold thinking, sustainable growth, and authentic food experiences — and where your expertise will shape decisions that matter to both the business and the consumer.

What's in it for you?

Senior Level Salary + Car Allowance and Bonus

Benefits To Include

• 33 Days annual leave
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Informal and Formal training opportunities with personalised online LMS platform
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)
• Physical Wellbeing Benefits – Free on demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
• Online Wellbeing benefits
• Free Financial wellbeing – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools
• Holiday Discounts via Online Retail Discount
  
  

About Us

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re driven by the belief that food should not only taste good but do good — for people and the planet. With household brands like Wall’s Pastry, Squeaky Bean, Unearthed, and Vadasz, and a growing presence in the Mediterranean Deli category, we’re leading the chilled food space with innovation, responsibility, and consumer connection at our core. Ready to lead the category conversation? Apply today and let’s create food to feel good about — together.

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace. We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed. Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team. If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to [email protected] and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.

Apply now