Job Title: Senior Category Manager

What does your job entail?

I see my job as being the eyes and ears of our customers when they are shopping the canned fish category. Most people don’t realise they see the effects of category management every time they enter a supermarket! My role involves taking consumer trends and data, and using this to identify insights and opportunities. Day to day, I work closely with the retailers to advise them on what strategies will appeal most to their customers, therefore delivering sales growth for their total category. I also work closely with our internal Crew, helping support strategies to best benefit the total canned fish category.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

No two days are the same! One day I could be working with one of our data providers to identify new insights and opportunities, the next I could be attending a meeting in a retailers head office, then the day after that I could be with the rest of the Category team working on future strategies. I also love walking into a supermarket and seeing that a retailer has implemented one of my recommendations – it’s great to know that my insight is helping retailers to engage with their shoppers.

What is the working environment like?

I think the Crew here at John West are the company’s biggest asset – the whole team is so friendly and helpful, which I found really reassuring when I first joined. I also like how there is a series of internal committees to support our Crew in different aspects of our work life, such as health and safety, employee engagement and the house committee (who organise our social events!). It means that any colleagues who have an idea or opinion to share will always has the forum to do so.

What is the office space like?

The best thing about the offices at John West are the views! Our board room overlooks over the Albert Dock, at the other end of the office we overlook the Three Graces – I am very lucky in that this is where my team are located, and I have a seat right by the window!