Category Controller, Category Controller

Category Controller - Meals (Own Label Focus)

Location
:
Uxbridge Head Office (office-based)

Reporting to
:
Category & Insight Director

Direct reports
: 4

Travel
:
Regular customer and site visits

At Pilgrim’s Europe, our Category & Insight function sits at the heart of commercial decision-making. We are now seeking a senior, own-label category expert to lead our Meals strategy at scale.

This is a high-impact leadership role for an experienced FMCG professional who has built and delivered category growth within major UK grocery retailers and understands the complexity, pace and opportunity within own label.

If you’ve operated at Senior Category Manager, Head of Category or Controller level — and thrive on influencing retailers with insight-led, commercially robust strategies — we want to hear from you.

As Category Marketing Controller - Meals, you will:

• Own and shape the long‑term own‑label category vision for Meals
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Category & Customer Marketing team
• Build compelling, insight‑led category strategies across all major UK multiples
• Act as a credible, proactive thought partner to senior retail stakeholders
• Influence innovation pipelines with clear consumer and shopper direction
• Translate data into powerful, commercially persuasive narratives
• Represent the category at senior internal and external forums
• This role goes beyond reporting and analysis — you will define direction, challenge thinking and drive measurable growth.

We’re specifically seeking candidates who bring:

• 5+ years senior FMCG category experience, with deep own‑label expertise in Meals or adjacent chilled categories
• Proven success leading category strategy with major UK grocery retailers
• Strong commercial acumen and experience influencing buying teams at multiple levels
• Experience operating in complex, cross‑functional environments
• Demonstrable people leadership and team development capability
• Confidence presenting at senior level with clear, compelling storytelling
• You will be strategic yet hands‑on, insight‑driven but commercially pragmatic.

• True ownership of a strategically critical category
• Senior‑level exposure across commercial and executive stakeholders
• Opportunity to shape long‑term own‑label innovation, not just short‑term activation
• A visible leadership position within a values‑led, growth‑focused organisation
• The chance to act as a genuine category partner to the UK’s leading retailers

If you are an established own‑label category leader looking for your next strategic move — where you can influence direction, shape retailer partnerships and drive sustainable growth — this is your opportunity.

Apply now and help define the future of Meals at Pilgrim’s Europe.