Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
Category Management & Shopper Marketing team lead
Apply for this role
Category Management & Shopper Marketing team lead
Apply for this role
About this Position
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Category Management & Shopper Team Lead to drive category growth and shopper engagement across the UK & Ireland market. Leading a team of two Category Managers and two Shopper Marketing Managers, this role is pivotal in shaping category strategies, delivering compelling shopper marketing plans, and building strong retailer partnerships.
The ideal candidate will bring proven expertise in both category management and shopper marketing, ideally gained in a leading CPG/FMCG company, with a strong understanding of the UK&I retail landscape.
What you´ll do
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Category Managers and Shopper Marketing Managers, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
- Ensure team alignment with commercial, sales, and marketing priorities.
- Champion best-in-class processes, tools, and ways of working.
- Lead the development of insight-driven category strategies for key retailers.
- Translate shopper, market, and retailer insights into actionable growth drivers.
- Partner with commercial teams to influence retailer range reviews, promotional plans, and shelf execution.
- Monitor category performance and provide actionable recommendations to maximize market share and ROI.
- Oversee the creation and execution of shopper activation plans aligned to brand and category strategies.
- Build strong joint business plans with retailers, delivering innovative, insight-led shopper campaigns.
- Ensure all shopper activity is measurable and delivers against key objectives (penetration, conversion, basket size).
- Manage budgets effectively, optimizing ROI across activations.
- Act as the key interface between sales, marketing and NRM to ensure aligned plans and execution.
- Partner with global and Western Europe regional teams to adapt best practices to the UK&I market.
- Represent category and shopper functions internally, influencing senior stakeholders with data-driven recommendations.
What makes you a good fit
- Proven track record in both category management and shopper marketing roles.
- Strong leadership experience, with a background in developing and managing teams.
- Experience in CPG/FMCG sector, with deep knowledge of the UK&I retail environment (DIY, grocery, discounters, convenience).
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
- Strong influencing skills with senior stakeholders and retailers.
- Commercial acumen with a track record of driving category growth.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Performance bonus / incentives
- Competitive Pension & Life Assurance - Company contributes up to 10% of basic salary
- Annual Leave: 27 days plus 8 Bank Holidays
- Celebration vouchers
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.
JOB ID: 25086017
Job Locations: United Kingdom, England, Hemel Hempstead
Contact information for application-related questions: RecruitmentUKIE@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
Job-Center: If you have an application already, you can create or log in to your account here to check the status of your application. In case of new account creation, please use your email address that you applied with.
About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English – should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company you will be working with colleagues from all over the world and English is our official company language. Generally, the ‘rule’ is: please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact it is an expectation within Henkel that our talent is flexible and mobile. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
Here you will get further information on our training programs.
Whom do I contact if I have questions concerning my application?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.