• Give a description of a day in the life of a Category Executive –

Downloading all data sources including EPOS, kantar data building monthly data packs in excel to report to our customers on performance metrics and assist the senior category manager in advising the NWT in decision making / NPD / EPD. Reporting on news & retailer activity internally & externally to understand wider macro trends in the food industry.

• After you qualified, did it take long to find a job?

I started my career in eCommerce in the savoury pastry division, working alongside category & commercial to improve online presence on retailer websites/ social media to optimise sales and take advantage of the new platform that took storm through the covid pandemic. Through this I worked closely with category and quickly learnt that the consumer side of the food industry interested me, and I could use skills that I had acquired through my degree to work within the category function. I applied for an internal move into the category team at ready meals and thoroughly enjoy it.

• What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

Not everyday is the same in a category role, working with different departments to build the first step in any NPD/EPD work done in any industry. The data is important and being able to manipulate the data to build stories is an essential part of the job. Being able to move from different data sources to answer questions as to why/what is going on when data changes.

• What was your starting salary?

£24,000

• How long have you been doing your job?

3 years in September 2023

• Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Category Manager in the food industry potentially in a branded business that will involve more marketing work.