Category Development Lead – Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract (Crawley, GB, RH10 9AD)
Business Area: Nestl Waters & Premium Beverages
Customer Category Lead Grocery & eCommerce: 12 month fixed term contract
Gatwick: Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
Attractive Salary
Some of our other fantastic benefits
- Car Allowance
- Potential, discretionary annual bonus
- Generous pension scheme
- 12 flexible days on top of 25 days annual holiday entitlement pro rata
- 2 paid volunteering days
- A focus on personal development and growth
Although this is a full-timetemporary opportunity, please speak to us about what flexibility means to you as we are always open to discuss individuals flexible working needs, dont let this stop you from applying.
Position Summary
Nestl Waters & Premium Beverages is a standalone, globally managed business within the Nestl Group.
The company serves consumers in more than 100 markets with a portfolio of more than 35 brands, includingS.Pellegrino, Perrier, Acqua Panna,SanpellegrinoItalian Sparkling Drinks, Maison Perrier, Buxton, Essentia,Levissima, La VieandNestl Pure Life.Building on its heritage andexpertisein waters, Nestl Waters & Premium Beverages (NW & PB) is focused on growth in premium and better-for-youbeverages, creating value for consumers,customersand stakeholders.
Water stewardship is central to the business. Nestl Waters & Premium Beverages is proud to be the only beverage company with all its bottling sites certified to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard. Working with local communities, experts and partners around the world, the company helps protect and restore water resources while supporting long-term environmental resilience.
We have an exciting opportunity for aCustomer Category Leadto join our Commercial Development Team (CDT)tolead the future growth, transformation and brand-building agenda of our Grocery & eCommerce business,with accountability for building trusted category partnerships and developing a high-performing team.
As aCustomer Category Lead – Grocery & eCommerce, you will shape the future of our Grocery & eCommerce business by developing and activating category and channel strategies that drive sustainable growth, create value for customers, and strengthen our brands across a wide range of consumption occasions. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of our business while helping our brands win in the moments that matter most.
Your impact
Reporting to the Head of CDTand leading a team of 5 direct reports, your key responsibilities willinclude:
- Leadingthe development and execution of 12 36 month Grocery & eCommerce channel strategies that unlock growth opportunities across diverse customer environments
- Drivingcategory growth, premiumisation and value creation through customer-focused insight and strategic planning
- Partneringwith senior customer stakeholders to build trusted relationships and create sustainable category growth plans
- Deliveringcompelling category recommendations that transform insight into actionable commercial opportunities and winning execution
- Leadingcross-functional collaboration to align business priorities, optimise performance and bring strategic plans to life
- Leadingthe Integrated Commercial Planning (ICP) process from an OOH perspective, connecting Market Business Strategy (MBS) ambitions to annual priorities, Must Win Battles and executable customer plans
- Building and inspiringa high-performing Customer Category team with capability in shopper insight, OOH dynamics, commercial storytelling and strategic influence.
Your ingredients for success
The successful candidate will demonstrate breadth of Grocery & eCommerce experience, transformational leadership, brand-building capability, customer influence and strategic vision required to unlock the next phase of growth for NW&PB.
Key skills and attributes will include:
Essential:
- Significant commercial, category development, customer management and channel strategy experience within FMCG
- Demonstrated experience shaping and activating customer or channel strategies, influencing senior stakeholders and turning insight into executable commercial plans
- Relevant experience of working in Grocery and ecommerce channels and customers
- Strong leadership capability, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and delivering results through others.
- Experience leading change within complex, matrix organisations and influencing senior stakeholders internally and externally
- Evidence of strategic thinking, customer partnership, commercial judgement and the agility to solve complex problems creatively and at pace
- Strong record of cross-functional leadership and delivery of exceptional results through collaboration, challenge and shared ownership
Desirable:
- Commercial and category development experience ideally within beverages
- Deep understanding of Grocery & ecommerce channels and customers
- Ability to challenge existing thinking and identify opportunities to fundamentally reshape the Grocery and ecommerce business
What you need to know
Advert posting date: 18/09/2026Advert closing date: 03/10/2026
We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please dont delay in submitting your application.
At Nestl, our values are rooted in respect and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.
We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity. We proudly signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, are committed to Disability Confidence, and have been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for gender equality for three consecutive years. Additionally, we are a headline partner of Diversity and Inclusion in grocery.
To find out more about Nestles commitment to DEI:Nestl's Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
To find out more about your recruitment journey with Nestle:Recruitment Journey | Nestl UK & Ireland
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