"Lime did a good job for us and I've enjoyed working with them on roles. Moved quickly and have been communicative, understanding our requirements on limited information."
CEO | Hackney Gelato
Category Management
Category management recruitment specialists
Lime Talent, based in London, is highly experienced in recruiting for category management roles, covering positions from Category Executive to Category Director levels. For larger organizations our network of candidates covers Category Insights, Category Strategy and Customer Category Management. Whilst within challenger brands, we excel in recruiting the foundational members for their category teams.
At Lime Talent, we understand the importance of finding candidates that have the ability to analyze category data and present actionable recommendations to customers. Our expertise lies not just in identifying these skill sets, but also in connecting you with candidates who have the right competencies to be able to succeed in your role. We are committed to ensuring the best possible match for your team.
Why Use Us?
Established in 2013, we recruit various FMCG category roles within larger organizations ranging from Category Executive to Category Director levels, as well as Category Strategy and Customer Category management. For challenger brands, we have successfully recruited first team members, setting the foundation for their category teams. Each member of our team is an FMCG recruitment expert, and we have specialist consultants who recruit for roles within category management which ensures you will be working with someone who fully comprehends your brief.
You can see some of our clients below
Some of the roles that we specialise in recruiting include:
Trusted by leading companies
Director
Chester-born Chris, has an unrivalled network of commercial candidates within the consumer goods industry. In addition to this, he has worked with many of the UK’s leading consumer brands and also with SME manufacturers from around the globe. Having started his career in 2002, Chris brings a wealth of experience to the team at Lime Talent.
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FAQ Section
Category Management professionals use data and shopper insight to optimise product ranges, pricing architecture, shelf strategy and promotional planning. In FMCG businesses, they work closely with retail partners to develop category growth strategies aligned to consumer behaviour and commercial performance.
At senior levels, Category leaders influence retailer strategy, range reviews and long-term customer partnerships.
Category Management focuses on shopper insight, assortment optimisation and retailer collaboration. Revenue Growth Management (RGM) focuses more specifically on pricing strategy, pack architecture and trade investment optimisation.
Both functions are commercially critical, but Category is typically retailer-facing while RGM is more internally focused on margin modelling and pricing governance.
Typical UK salary ranges are:
Category Executive / Analyst: £35,000–£50,000
Category Manager: £45,000–£65,000 + bonus
Senior Category Manager: £60,000–£85,000 + bonus
Head of Category: £80,000–£120,000 + bonus
Category Director / Customer Strategy Director: £120,000–£160,000 + bonus + LTIP
Compensation reflects retailer exposure, data ownership, commercial influence and strategic responsibility across range and pricing decisions. To provide an accurate market benchmark, it’s important to understand retailer portfolio scope and organisational structure.
Lime Talent also provides tailored FMCG salary benchmarking support to help consumer brands align category capability with commercial strategy.
Advanced data analysis (Nielsen, Circana, Dunnhumby)
Retailer presentation and influence
Range and assortment optimisation
Promotional evaluation
Cross-functional collaboration with sales and marketing
At Director level, ownership of customer strategy and category vision becomes central.
As distribution expands and retailer data becomes more sophisticated, structured Category expertise becomes essential to drive profitable growth and strengthen long-term retail partnerships.
In smaller businesses, Category may sit within sales. As complexity increases, dedicated Category teams are formed to support multi-retailer strategy.
In larger or investor-backed environments, Category Directors often operate as strategic partners to Sales Directors and Commercial Directors.
We conduct targeted searches across retailer-facing category talent, assessing both data capability and commercial influence to ensure candidates can deliver measurable category growth.
Yes. We regularly place interim Category Managers and Customer Strategy Leads during retailer transitions, range resets or growth phases.