Senior Category Development Consultant (Freelance)

Senior Category Development Consultant (Freelance)

Contract: 3 months | Start: As soon as possible | Location: Brussels (Hybrid, 2-3 days/week in office)
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-month contract, starting as soon as possible.

This is a support role cover the Away-from-Home channels (e.g. Leisure, At-Work, Institutions, Horeca, On-the-Go, but mainly for national customers). 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

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  Define a vision on how to best develop NARTD sales in AfH customers.
  
  


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  Present analysis‑based recommendations to AfH strategic customers and internal stakeholders.
  
  


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  Shape category opportunities based on a strong understanding of customer context, consumer behaviour, and shopping missions in AfH.
  
  

Assortment, Range & Space Planning

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  Deliver category projects such as range optimisations, assortment reviews, planograms and other practical merchandising initiatives.
  
  


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  Build customer‑relevant assortment strategies (brands, pack sizes, formats) aligned with AfH consumption moments and operational realities.
  
  

Insights & Opportunity Identification

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  Conduct fit‑for‑purpose category and customer analyses using internal data and external sources (e.g., Nielsen, GfK).
  
  


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  Identify opportunities related to assortment gaps, visibility, distribution and space efficiency, with recommendations that are actionable for AfH environments.
  
  

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 Concepts

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  Contribute to innovation‑related category thinking, merchandising improvements and “Shelf of the Future / Fridge of the Future” concepts adapted to AfH channels.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

Industry & Role Experience

• Strong experience in Category Management / Category Development / Commercial Insights within relevant FMCG environments.


• Experience working with Away‑from‑Home customers is an advantage.

Analytical & Technical Skills

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  Solid analytical capability, able to translate data into clear, practical recommendations.
  
  


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  Familiarity with Nielsen, GfK, and/or space‑planning tools.
  
  


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  Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; 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 months).


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  A strong marketing background with experience delivering diverse FMCG projects—such as portfolio development, go‑to‑market initiatives, activation plans, or customer‑facing recommendations—enabling quick understanding of AfH category challenges and opportunities.
  
  

Important – Mandatory Profile Criteria:

This is a specialist Category Development assignment within FMCG, only candidates who meet all of the following criteria will be considered:

• Legally entitled to work in Belgium and able to work on a hybrid basis in Brussels.


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  Proven experience as a Category Development, Commercial Development or Marketing Consultant/Freelancer in FMCG, ideally within branded food & beverage, consumer packaged goods or beverage manufacturers.
  
  


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  Already established as an independent consultant, with demonstrated experience operating in freelance/contracting setups.
  
  

Applications that do not meet all of the above criteria will not be taken forward in the selection process.

Interested?

If you are an experienced FMCG Category professional available in the short term and interested in a 3-month freelance or interim assignment supporting category development in 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 [email protected].

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