What is THIS™?
THIS™ is a high-growth, VC-backed emerging leader in producing plant-based food. Meat-alternatives, to be exact. In fact, if we’re being reallllly exact – our products are at the leading-edge of the plant-based sector in terms of taste, texture and appearance. Here’s our insta, for a quick stalk - www.instagram.com/this.uk
It’s worth mentioning that since our launch in June 2019, the company has experienced extremely significant growth in revenue. In 2023, THIS™ topped The Grocer and Alantra’s annual Fast 50 list, a ranking of the country’s fastest-growing food and drink companies on two-year sales growth. We have strong aspirations to continue this growth trajectory as we aim to be the number 1 plant-based brand in the UK and beyond and we believe we have the team and investment to achieve this.
Why are we doing THIS™?
Andy and Pete are our co-founders and their last job entailed selling tonnes (literally tonnes) of meat. Then they felt bad. Also, they felt like meat-alternatives weren't really for people who love the taste of meat. So they’ve basically ended up making THIS™ for themselves, but they’d love other meat-lovers to give it a go too. THIS™ is a game-changer.
At our core, our vision is to have a world where animals aren’t food and the environment is protected.
Our mission statement to guide us to getting there is:
“We will lead a revolution with our ridiculously delicious and nutritious plant-based food.”
What’s with this role?
The Senior Category & Strategy Manager is responsible for leading category strategy and insight for the plant-based category across chilled and frozen at THIS. The role ensures that category, shopper and macro insights sit at the centre of decision making across THIS, while positioning the business as a trusted category thought leader with key retail partners.
What will you be getting up to?
1. Category Strategy Leadership
Own and shape the long-term plant-based category strategy across chilled and frozen, refreshing annually and ensuring it sits at the heart of internal decision making.
Translate category, shopper and macro trends into clear strategic priorities that guide commercial, innovation and marketing planning.
Identify and define category growth drivers, ensuring these are embedded across retailer strategies, portfolio planning and internal business priorities.
2. Insights & Data Ownership
Own the centralised category database, working with external data partners to ensure THIS operates from a credible and consistent single source of truth for category data.
Own macro trend insight delivery, ensuring teams across the business are making decisions rooted in current and forward-looking category, shopper and consumer trends.
Deliver regular internal category reporting for the commercial team and senior stakeholders, including company performance reviews, board decks and strategic cross-functional projects.
Partner with the Head of Retail and Commercial Director to agree annual Commercial OPEX data budgets, ensuring delivery in line with budget and business priorities.
3. Retailer Category Partnership
Partner with key retailer stakeholders (Buyer, Category Planner, Range Analyst and Merchandiser) to position THIS as a trusted category thought leader and strategic category partner.
Deliver quarterly external category reports, including category scorecards and insights on NPD, consumer trends and shopper behaviour across key trading periods.
Lead strategic range and assortment analysis for key retailer range reviews, delivering data-led recommendations aligned to the category strategy and supporting the expansion of THIS total distribution and stocking points.
4. Future Growth Strategy
Collaborate with marketing, commercial and innovation teams to ensure category insight informs portfolio strategy, including the 1–2 year innovation pipeline and ongoing portfolio optimisation.
Equip and support the commercial team in translating insight into compelling, commercially persuasive narratives to strengthen NPD sell-in with retailers.
Work cross-functionally with commercial and commercial finance to inform our retail strategy, including price and promotional strategy, range hierarchy and shopper marketing budget splits.
5. Category Capability & Internal Influence
Champion a category-first mindset across the business, embedding the use of category insight in decision making across commercial, marketing and innovation teams.
Educate and upskill internal teams in using data and insight to build stronger commercial stories and strategic recommendations.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for someone with strong UK grocery category management experience in FMCG. You might be a Senior Category Manager who wants to own the category function within an SME, or a Category Manager with 3-4 years under their belt and ready for that next step.
An analytical powerhouse, someone who can look at bucket loads of data and turn it into exciting and actionable insights.
A strong communicator, someone who can flex their style appropriately to deliver information and influence, whether they’re talking to a buyer, a junior marketing colleague or the CEO
Someone with a drive, energy and determination. We’re growing and that means we need people who are focussed and will demonstrate their true entrepreneurial spirit day in, day out
Ability and interest to work cross-functionally, we’re a small team and believe that strong collaboration will take us further than working in silos
Positive attitude, proactivity and a tenacious character. Things in our business can change very quickly, so being comfortable reacting quickly to unexpected opportunities and challenges is super important
Alignment with our company values:
Be Kind: We support and include each other, we’re honest and give feedback, we’re considerate and act with love and trust, we have fun, and we look after the planet.
Be Brave: We’re adaptable and embrace change, we’re resilient and have a growth mindset, we think creatively and speak up, we change course if we need to, and we learn and grow.
Be Focused: We always drive towards our mission and vision, we make sustainable long-term decisions, we deliver for our consumers by prioritising the right things, we think business-minded - brand and consumer, and we own our own roles.
Be Passionate: We’re ambassadors of our company and products, we’re THIS™ geeks and experts, we’re purpose-led, and we’re aware of our impact on the outside world.
From our side
A competitive salary that fairly recognises your experience and potential.
25 days paid Holiday Allowance, plus the 8 bank holidays, plus 1 paid Wellbeing Day a month to take off to dedicate to yourself. That’s a total of 45 paid days off per full year – we care about our team’s wellbeing, so we make sure you have time to fully switch off, rest, and recharge.
Hybrid working – 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thu) in the office
Flexible working hours – We're not a 9-5. Our focus is on your ability to deliver for the business, not your ability to keep strict working hours.
Private healthcare
Life assurance
Enhanced parental policies
Access to our Freebie Freezer so you can eat as much of THIS™ as you fancy.
The chance to have a meaningful impact
As a relatively small, albeit growing, team you'll be exposed to, and have the chance to contribute towards, challenges and projects at all levels and in all areas of the business. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of the experience or seniority of who came up with it.
We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to apply with your CV and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
THIS’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion hiring commitment
We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our team members and strive to create an environment that encourages authenticity, collaboration, and growth. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in our industry. If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please let us know – we're here to help you.
