Job Title

Category Marketing Controller – MealsLocation: Uxbridge Head Office (office-based)Department: Category MarketingReports to: Category & Insight DirectorDirect reports: 4Travel: Regular travel to sites and customersAbout the roleAt Pilgrim's Europe, our Category & Insight team provides a clear, forward-looking category vision that drives sustainable growth across the business. As Category Marketing Controller – Meals, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering this vision for one of our most important categories.Based at our Uxbridge head office, you will be the recognised expert for the Meals category, leading and developing a team of Category and Customer Marketing professionals. You'll use deep consumer, shopper and category insight to create compelling strategies that unlock growth for both Pilgrim's Europe and our customers.Working closely with Commercial, Innovation and Operational teams, you will identify future consumer-led opportunities, influence key decisions and help build a robust pipeline that supports long-term category success.Key responsibilitiesLead, coach and develop a high-performing Category Marketing teamPlay a significant role in shaping and delivering the Group Marketing strategy, ensuring the Meals category is strongly representedDevelop, communicate and execute Meals category strategies across all growth levers, including channel, shopper and customer-specific plansBuild strong, trusted relationships with major retail customers, delivering thought leadership and acting as a proactive category partnerProvide clear, commercially compelling insight and recommendations to customers and internal commercial teamsChampion the consumer and shopper perspective across operational business units to support effective decision-makingPartner with Innovation & Development to build a long-term, insight-led innovation pipelineManage allocated budgets for consumer research to address category knowledge gaps and opportunitiesTravel periodically to sites and customers to stay closely connected to operations and market needsWhat we're looking forExperience & knowledge (essential):5+ years' experience in FMCG, with strong Meals or relevant category expertiseProven leadership experience (3+ years), including line managementDemonstrable success in building and executing category strategiesExperience working closely with major UK grocery multiple retailersBackground in own-label category managementStrong stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levelsConfident communicator with strong written, verbal and storytelling capabilityAbility to distil insight into clear, actionable and commercially focused solutionsExperience working closely with innovation, commercial and operational teamsIdeal behavioursStrong alignment with the Values of Pilgrim's EuropeStrategic, collaborative and consumer-focused mindsetProactive, credible and confident in building relationships internally and externallyWhy Join Us?Shape the future of the Meals category in a senior, influential leadership roleBe based at our Uxbridge head office, working closely with senior stakeholdersLead and develop a talented team with genuine ownership and visibilityAct as a true category partner to major UK grocery retailersTurn insight into strategies that deliver real commercial impactInfluence the long-term innovation pipeline, not just short-term plansGain valuable exposure through travel to sites and customersJoin a values-led organisation where ambition, collaboration and accountability matterReady to make an impact?If you're a strategic category leader with a passion for the Meals category and a track record of turning insight into growth, this is your opportunity to make a real difference. Based at our Uxbridge head office, you'll be at the heart of shaping category strategy, customer partnerships and long-term success.Apply now and help define the future of Meals at Pilgrim's Europe.JBRP1_UKTJ