Complete Category Manager

Turn category insight into strategies that win customer support and drive growth.

Category professionals are under pressure to deliver clearer, smarter and more strategic recommendations, yet too often analysis fails to land with retailers or influence decisions. 

This hands-on course gives you the confidence and capability to turn data into actionable insight, craft sophisticated category strategies and create plans that strengthen retailer partnerships and drive commercial impact. 

Through practical frameworks, real-world examples and guided exercises, you’ll learn the complete category management process, from assessment and analysis through to strategy development and plan delivery. 

Why it matters 

Without strong category skills, you risk: 

• Struggling to turn complex data into clear insights and actionable opportunities 

• Missing retailer expectations for sharper strategies, impactful plans and channel-specific thinking 

• Weak internal and external influence due to irrelevant analysis and recommendations 

• Fragmented learning that leaves gaps in understanding the end-to-end category process 

• Missing the future opportunities in your category 

This course equips you to build insight-led category plans, navigate channel dynamics and influence both customers and colleagues with confidence 

Who should attend

Commercial professionals who create and deliver proposals, recommendations or plans whether to retailers, internal stakeholders or cross-functional teams and want to improve clarity, impact and persuasiveness. 

Dates

The Complete Category Manager course is available both virtually and in-person.

• 21-23 April | 09:00-16:30 | In-person

• 7-9 July and 21-23 July | 09:30-12:30 | Virtual

• 6-8 October | 09:00-16:30 | In-person

• 10-12 November and 24-26 November | 09:30-12:30 | Virtual

In-person intakes are delivered over three full days at our IGD offices, near Watford, Hertfordshire.

Virtual intakes are delivered online, over six three-hour sessions.

Meet the trainer

What you’ll explore 

Over three intensive full-day sessions, you’ll explore the end-to-end category management process, from assessment to strategy to execution. You’ll learn how to unlock insight from data, develop channel-appropriate strategies and build compelling category plans that influence retailers and deliver measurable commercial growth. 

What you’ll be able to do after this course:

• Apply the complete category management process from category assessment to delivery 

• Turn complex data into clear, future-focused insights and opportunities 

• Build sophisticated, insight-led category strategies aligned to retailer priorities and channel dynamics 

• Develop optimised range recommendations and leverage in-store tactics effectively 

• Create compelling category plans that inspire collaboration and strengthen retailer partnerships 

• Navigate common challenges in sustaining long-term, mutually beneficial customer relationships 

How you’ll learn 

Through practical tools, actionable frameworks, guided exercises and real-world examples, you’ll build confidence as well as competence, leaving ready to apply the complete category management process immediately in your role.

Dates:

The Complete Category Manager course is available both virtually and in-person. 

• 21-23 April | 09:00-16:30 | In-person 

• 7-9 July and 21-23 July | 09:30-12:30 | Virtual 

• 6-8 October | 09:00-16:30 | In-person 

• 10-12 November and 24-26 November | 09:30-12:30 | Virtual 

In person intakes are delivered over three full days at our IGD offices, near Watford, Hertfordshire. 

Virtual intakes are delivered online, over six three-hour sessions. 

Tickets 

	Virtual intakes	In-person intakes
Member	£999	£1,499
Non-member	£1,200	£1,799

Small business rate: To qualify for a discounted rate you will need to be a small manufacturing business with a global turnover of less than £10 Million. Place your order above and email your annual global turnover to [email protected], or get in touch if you have any questions. 

Prices displayed ex-VAT. IGD reserves the right to alter any element of the programme, such as speakers, times and venue, should the need arise. All bookings are subject to acceptance of IGD Terms & Conditions. IGD reserves the right to reject any order at its discretion. 

Cancellation fees 

Cancellations to be confirmed in writing 
 
Over 30 days’ notice - Full refund 
15 - 30 days’ notice - 50% refund (or transferred to virtual ticket) 
Fewer than 15 days’ notice - No refund/transfers 

Please email [email protected]