SC JOHNSON IS A FIFTH-GENERATION FAMILY COMPANY BUILT ON THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers – such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story.
Senior Category Manager
Location: Frimley, Surrey | Contract: *Fixed Term – 12 months*
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Sales Director, this role is a key driver of commercial success—leading our Category & Trade Solutions team to shape the future of SCJ across our top retail partners.
As the Senior Category Manager, you’ll turn global and regional insights into powerful, actionable strategies by combining SCJ’s rich research platforms with the strength of local market data from Nielsen and other sources. Your expertise will unlock growth opportunities, sharpen our competitive edge, and influence decisions at the highest level.
You’ll be the trusted partner for our leading retailers, building strong, senior‑level relationships and positioning SCJ as a best‑in‑class collaborator. Your ability to understand retailer needs, spot market shifts, and challenge thinking will be essential in driving sustainable category and brand growth.
Inside the business, you’ll play a pivotal role—guiding the commercial team with clear insight on trends, performance drivers, and growth opportunities, ensuring SCJ remains ahead of the curve and at the forefront of category leadership.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary + bonus + car allowance
- Flexible start and finish times & 4.5-day working week
- Pension, health insurance & life cover
- Free Parking, EV charging, cycle-to-work scheme & shuttle bus
- Onsite gym with free classes & NEW spin studio
What you’ll do
Lead the Category & Trade Solutions team, translating insights into powerful, actionable strategies that drive category, customer, and brand growth across key UK retailers.
- Develop customer‑specific category strategies and commercial recommendations using global, regional, and local data sources (Nielsen, panel, retailer data, etc.).
- Build strong senior‑level relationships with major UK retailers, influencing decisions and helping improve their category performance.
- Deliver clear insights on retailer performance, market trends, and growth opportunities — including planogram leadership and weekly performance analysis where required.
- Use Sales Fundamentals tools to identify opportunities and drive aligned action plans across the business.
- Ensure seamless flow of insights across Category, BAMs, Customer Marketing, Regional Marketing, and Market Strategy & Planning.
- Share best‑practice shopper insights and support capability building across the UK Commercial team.
- Manage and leverage multiple research and data tools (syndicated, panel, qualitative and quantitative shopper research).
- Monitor category and competitor trends and share relevant insights across the business.
- Oversee relationships with key data partners (NIQ, dunnhumby, SIP, MoreVu, Quantium).
Business & Planning Leadership
- Build an annual customer‑specific CATS plan aligned with regional strategy and the UK Commercial Plan.
- Track category and customer performance to identify opportunities and support promotion and commercial planning.
- Lead the development and deployment of category strategies that position SCJ as an indispensable retail partner.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Coach, develop, and inspire a high‑performing insights team with diverse analytical expertise.
- Drive collaboration with BAMs and Customer Marketing on retailer initiatives.
- Manage multiple cross‑functional projects while fostering strong external and internal partnerships.
Experience you’ll bring
- Significant FMCG experience which includes retailer category reviews and interaction, experience with shopper research, budget management, and execution of business plans.
- Proven leadership/management experience and coaching skills
- Strong knowledge of Category Management principles, processes and practices.
- Graduate with a degree in a field such as Marketing or Business Management etc
- Excellent analytical and communication skills, working with all levels within a cross-functional organization to achieve results
- Ability to work and build relationships at junior and senior levels with challenging customers
- Willingness to travel as required for customer meetings
You need to be legally eligible to work in country of application.
We do not support international relocation for this role
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Inclusion & Diversity
We’re a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment where all people can thrive.
We’re committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion.
