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Senior Category Development Consultant (Freelance)

Contract: 3–6 months | Start: As soon as possible | Location: Brussels (Hybrid)
Sector: FMCG – Non-Alcoholic Beverages

About the Role

CCEP is looking for an experienced Senior Category Development Consultant (Freelance / Interim) to plug into the Category Development team on a 3–6-month contract, starting as soon as possible.

This is a support role that can cover both Home (Retail) and Away-from-Home channels (e.g., Horeca, On-the-Go, Leisure, At-Work, Institutions). The consultant will partner with internal stakeholders and customers to develop and deliver category management projects and recommendations for the Non-Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink (NARTD) category.

The engagement will be on a freelance or interim contract basis, with scope and rate aligned to experience and delivery expectations. Some on-site presence in Brussels is expected to support collaboration with the Category Development and Commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Recommendations

• Develop category strategies and recommendations tailored to Retail and/or Away-from-Home customers, aligned with customer objectives and category opportunities.
• Define a vision for NARTD development at customers and translate it into actionable plans.

Assortment, Range & Space Planning

• Lead and deliver category projects such as range optimisations, assortment reviews, and planogram/space planning initiatives.
• Build customer-relevant assortment strategies (brands, pack sizes, variants) based on shopper needs and commercial performance.

Advanced Analytics & Insights

• Conduct customer/category analyses using internal sales data and external sources (e.g., Nielsen, GfK).
• Identify opportunities to improve performance through space efficiency, distribution, and merchandising recommendations.

Performance & Execution Support

• Define and track KPIs for delivered initiatives and support teams in closing performance gaps.
• Support cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., account management, shopper marketing, insights, field sales) with clear outputs and actionable guidance.

Innovation & Future Shelf Concepts

• Contribute to innovation, merchandising improvements, and “Shelf of the Future” projects by developing concepts based on evolving shopper expectations.

What We’re Looking For

Industry & Role Experience

• Strong experience in Category Management / Category Development / Commercial Insights within relevant FMCG environments (where category development is a real value driver; not all FMCG backgrounds will fit).
• Experience working with Retail and/or Away-from-Home customers is an advantage.

Analytical & Technical Skills

• Strong analytical capability; comfortable working with large datasets and translating data into clear recommendations.
• Familiarity with Nielsen, GfK and/or space planning tools.
• Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint; BI tools are a plus.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Strong presentation and influencing skills, able to engage both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Able to operate effectively in a cross-functional, matrix environment.

Consultant Profile

• Able to ramp up quickly, work with autonomy, and deliver tangible outputs within a short contract window (3–6 months).

Interested?

If you are an experienced FMCG Category professional available in the short term and interested in a 3–6 month freelance or interim assignment supporting category development across Retail and Away-from-Home channels, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your CV and a short overview of your relevant category experience. Suitable profiles will be contacted to discuss scope, availability, and contractual details.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact us at TalentAcquisitionBelux@ccep.com.

⚠️ Please note that we do not accept applications by email. Make sure to apply directly through our official application platform.