Category Manager (Maternity Leave Cover)

Overview

This opportunity is for a Category Manager to cover maternity leave within a business focused on innovation, sustainability, diversity, and strong teamwork. The role sits in a category and customer marketing environment and is aimed at improving how shoppers buy within a key product category. The position is based in Cork or Dublin and is a specified-purpose contract for maternity leave cover.

The successful person will work closely with retail partners to help expand the beer and cider category across convenience and specialist channels. The role calls for curiosity, a genuine interest in learning, and the ability to turn data-driven insights into compelling commercial stories that lead to measurable business impact.

Reporting and role context

Reporting line: Off Trade Channel Manager. Job grade: 15. Location: Cork or Dublin. Contract type: Specified Purpose – Maternity Leave Cover.

What you'll do

• Manage HEINEKEN’s category relationship with key retailers by building strategic partnerships with customer teams and using market analysis to shape future-focused growth plans.
• Support customer range reviews, merchandising updates, store trials, and other short-notice projects by offering recommendations rooted in strong data and evidence.
• Develop consumer and shopper insights, then work with internal and external stakeholders to create plans that strengthen growth and improve the shopper experience in convenience and specialist channels.
• Contribute to annual category and brand planning so that key customer strategies clearly support the broader category growth agenda.
• Review monthly market and category information, interpret trends across the HEINEKEN portfolio and competitors, monitor NPD activity, and spot growth opportunities in space, distribution, and merchandising to support annual business planning.
• Assist the wider business unit, including the Managing Director, Commercial Director, Customer Marketing Controller, and NAMs, with ad hoc market analysis and corporate presentation development.

What we're looking for

The ideal candidate is naturally inquisitive, enthusiastic about category management, and comfortable working independently as well as across multiple functions. They should bring solid FMCG experience, practical category management knowledge, and a strong track record of managing customer relationships.

Applicants should be able to communicate clearly, negotiate effectively, and influence stakeholders at different levels. The role also requires regular internal and external presenting in a polished, engaging, and persuasive manner, along with a good understanding of Irish grocery channels and experience using data management and space planning tools.

Diversity and equal opportunity

The company states that diversity is central to its purpose of brewing togetherness and building a better world. Applications are welcomed from all qualified candidates, and the organisation emphasises fair and equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religious belief, nationality, social background, disability, and thinking style.

Additional information

This is a maternity leave cover role, so it is a fixed-term, specified-purpose contract rather than a permanent opening.

The company culture is described as collaborative, ambitious, and people-focused, with strong cross-functional working across the wider business.