Senior Category Development Manager – Boots

Overview

You will drive in-store execution and retailer partnerships for Reckitt’s leading brands in a fast-paced sales environment. Operating within the UK market, you’ll translate category strategies into retailer-ready plans, shaping shopper-focused narratives and improving availability and conversion. You will work cross-functionally with National Account and Trade Marketing, delivering evidence-based recommendations to boost category performance. This role offers visibility into strategic category leadership within a FTSE10 company and opportunities to influence major retailers. You’ll join a high-performing team that prioritizes data-driven decision making and collaborative execution.

Pay / Benefits

• Parental benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health)
• Life insurance for all employees
• Global share plans
• Short-term incentives (pay-for-performance)
• Competitive pay package aligned to performance

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver 4P execution aligned to local success models to maximise category performance
• Coordinate with Trade Marketing to align NPD plans and best practices
• Tailor strategies to retailer needs and goals
• Lead category storytelling with insight-led, retailer-ready narratives for buying and merchandising teams
• Negotiate mutually beneficial solutions to improve in-store presence and execution
• Own initiatives from concept to in-store execution
• Embed shopper-centric thinking in recommendations using missions and occasions
• Lead space and layout optimisation to maximise availability and conversion
• Drive the range review process
• Consider impact of decisions across Reckitt units and wider business
• Act as category subject-matter expert and provide thought leadership
• Manage and develop direct reports with clear objectives and performance management

Key requirements

• Strong commercial acumen with understanding of Customer Management Process
• Ability to translate category strategy into retailer-focused execution and financial impact (sales, margin, ranging, space productivity, ROI) and P&L awareness
• Analytical ability to handle large data sets and generate actionable insights
• Proven ability to influence at all levels and land ideas with customers
• Strong verbal storytelling and presentation skills; data visualisation to convey insights
• Negotiation skills and ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
• Practical, scalable in-store recommendations with knowledge of retailer operations and space constraints
• Ability to connect short-term actions to long-term category strategy and growth
• Proactive, accountable with bias for action and robust tracking of outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Leadership ability to coach and manage others across multiple projects

• Confident communicator
• Analytical thinker
• Collaborative and relationship-focused
• Advanced Excel
• PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office suite

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