
Category Development Manager
Join the team behind iconic brands like Andrex®, Kleenex® and Kimberly-Clark Professional®. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.
This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly-Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world-class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid-2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You’ll be part of a high-potential business that combines Kimberly-Clark’s iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano’s industrial and sustainability leadership.
About You
As a member of the UK Category Leadership Team this role offers an exciting opportunity to develop and execute category initiatives aligned to the category vision within key retail partners.
You will be responsible for engaging with our top retail partners, influencing them to adhere to our principles to deliver category growth. You will be responsible for building relationships with key retailers and influencing them to implement category initiatives. You will be required to work cross-functionally with sales and marketing to ensure alignment of recommendations to drive profitable growth for of the retailer and for Kimberly-Clark.
The Role
To inspire key retailer partners to execute in line with Kimberly Clark’s strategies to deliver category growth for the retailer and Kimberly Clark. You will utilise your exceptional understanding of key data sources and shopper insight to create compelling stories to positively influence your retailer’s range, merchanding and promotional strategies.
Support the development of category strategies and influence retailers to implement recommendations tailored to their specific needs
Develop and deliver effective external category selling stories, tailored by customer as required, to support new category growth initiatives with key customers
Develop and agree joint category plan focused on key initiatives including merchandising and promotion recommendations.
Monitor, evaluate & communicate changes in category, customer dynamics and competitor activities and recommend actions to address issues and opportunities affecting the category and/or Kimberly-Clark brands
Recommend actions to address category and/or Kimberly-Clark issues through influencing retailer partners
Skills and Experience
Strong customer focus, with ability to develop consumer-led joint strategies
Excellent analytical skills with a talent to combine data sources and create the category led selling stories
Comfortable in creating highly collaborative relationships, both internal and external, with an ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Able to deliver powerful presentations and selling stores
Results oriented, self-motivated and inquisitive
Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively
Experience in a commercial, customer facing role; at least one year within category development
Experience of leading range reviews and/ or category projects with a top 4 multiple is essential
Exposure of working within the UK FMCG market would be an advantage.
Experience of successfully forging and maintaining business relationships
Proven track record of interpreting data and delivering business results
Expert user of Microsoft Excel and Nielsen / IRI systems essential. Familiarity within other category tools is favorable
Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
Degree-level educated or equivalent preferred, but not essential
And finally, the fine print….
For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.
Employment is subject to verification of local policies.
This role is available for local candidates already authorized to work in the UK only. Kimberly-Clark will not provide relocation support for this role.
#LI-Hybrid
Walton Oaks
Employee
Regular
Full time

At Kimberly-Clark, everything we do begins with care — for people, for communities, and for the planet we share. For more than 150 years, our brands have created essentials that make life better for billions of people every day. Better Care for a Better World is more than our purpose; it’s how we lead.
Through our trusted brands, including Huggies®. Kleenex®. Andrex®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®, we’re building a future where innovation and sustainability work hand in hand. Our 38,000+ employees around the world share a spirit of invention and responsibility that continues to redefine what care means.
We’re proud to be recognized among the world’s top employers and sustainability leaders year after year, but our greatest achievement is our people. Their care moves the world forward. Because when care leads, impact follows. Learn more at kimberly-clark.com.
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