Senior Category Development Manager

Location: Reading, UK (Hybrid Working - 2 days per week in the office)

At Bayer, we're looking for an experienced Senior Category Development Manager to drive category growth with strategic retail partners across the UK. This role combines category leadership, customer engagement, and data-driven insight to help shape winning strategies, strengthen retailer partnerships, and deliver sustainable business growth.

Develop and implement category strategies and customer plans with key retail partners, translating shopper, market, and category insights into actionable growth opportunities.

Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, senior buyers, merchandising, and planning teams, becoming a trusted category advisor and strategic partner.

Lead category reviews, promotional evaluations, range optimisation, and fixture recommendations to maximise category performance, shelf presence, and value growth.

Analyse market trends, shopper behaviour, competitor activity, and retail data to identify opportunities, influence decision-making, and strengthen Bayer's category vision.

Drive category management best practice across the business, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and Category teams to maximise commercial performance and revenue growth.

Own customer KPI development and performance tracking while playing a key leadership role within local category teams to support strategic decisions for key brands.

Degree educated with significant experience in Category Management, Category Development, Category Insights, or Sales .

Minimum 5 years' experience within FMCG, Consumer Health, OTC, or related sectors.

Strong understanding of the UK retail environment and category management principles.

Experienced in building strategic retail partnerships and influencing senior stakeholders.

Highly analytical, with expertise in shopper, market, and retail insights.

Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Experience using data and insight platforms such as IRI , Kantar , or similar tools.

At Bayer, we're committed to helping our employees grow their careers while making a positive impact. You'll join a collaborative team where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your work contributes to ensuring products reach customers when they need them most.

Your Application

“Be You” at Bayer where you have the opportunity to be part of our culture influencing Health for all and Hunger for none.

We value our employees and believe that rewarding your contributions is essential to our shared vision. Discover the exceptional benefits awaiting you as a valued member of #Teambayer

Compensation and Benefits

Salary you can expect: Min £65,000 - £72,000 pa depending on experience. Salary reviews take place annually in April.

Competitive compensation package consisting of an attractive base salary and annual company bonus.

Individual bonus can also be granted for top Talent Impact

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare, generous pension scheme and Life Insurance

Wellness programs and support

Employee discount scheme

International career possibilities

Flexible and Hybrid working

Help with home office equipment

Volunteering days

Support for professional growth in a wide range of learning and development opportunities

We welcome and embrace diversity providing an inclusive working environment

The best possible work-life balance is of great importance to us, which is why we support flexible hybrid working model.

#LI-UK

#Hybrid

Location:

United Kingdom : Berkshire : Reading

Division:

Consumer Health

Reference Code:

894983