Category Management Executive Search — USA Track Record

Category Management Executive Search in the USA

Nigel Wright Group is a specialist category management executive search firm. We help American consumer businesses hire the leaders who shape category performance. Our consultants place Board and C-level executives across the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sector. Behind that work sits over 35 years of category knowledge and a network across North America and EMEA. We Connect Great People to Great Opportunities, and we Go Further to find leaders who deliver growth and transformation. That mix of local insight and global reach sets the tone for every search.

Why category management leadership drives commercial results

Category management sits at the heart of commercial success in consumer goods. The right leader brings range, pricing, promotion, and shopper insight into one clear plan. That plan grows sales for the retailer and the brand at the same time. Businesses that get it right build stronger retail partnerships and win valuable shelf space. Strong category leaders turn shopper data into growth that lasts. Finding the executive talent to lead this work is where our specialism begins.

Our track record in category management search

Nigel Wright Group holds a proven track record placing category leaders across the US, Europe, and the UK & Ireland. Our consultants focus on distinct CPG sectors. They know the commercial pressures behind every hire. This depth helps us build shortlists of top talent who are ready to lead from day one. Each candidate is assessed on the impact they can deliver.

We have worked with some of the world's most respected consumer brands, including:

• Newell Brands
• McDonald's
• Danone
• Coty
• Henkel
• Suntory Global Spirits
• Jack Link's
• Lotus Bakeries

Every engagement reflects our commitment to service excellence. It also shows a genuine grasp of what drives category performance at the highest level. These names span food, beverage, beauty, and household goods, which mirrors the breadth of the searches we run. Working alongside brands of this scale keeps our consultants close to the moves that matter across the sector. That closeness feeds straight into the shortlists we present to every client.

Category management roles we place across the consumer sector

Our team recruits senior category leaders across all strategic disciplines. Typical searches include:

• Vice President of Category Management
• Category Management Director
• Head of Category Development
• Category Planning and Insights Lead
• Shopper and Category Insight Director
• National Account and Category Leadership executives

Permanent appointments and succession planning both sit within our remit. This gives your leadership team stability as the business grows.

Deep sector specialism you can trust

Our consultants bring first-hand market intelligence from years inside the consumer sector. They advise on each role, benchmark pay, and map the leaders who can move a category forward. Every conversation draws on a clear view of your market, your customers, and your rivals. That knowledge shortens the search and sharpens the shortlist. Clients gain a partner who speaks the language of their business from the first call.

Cross-continental reach for growing consumer brands

A network across North America and EMEA gives clients access to senior leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. We help American businesses strengthen their category teams and expand into Europe. Proven European leaders can also step into US roles through the same network. For overseas companies entering the American market, our team provides local knowledge and talent acquisition support to build a strong foothold. Brands with plans on both continents gain one partner for the whole search.

Client outcomes built to last

We prove our value over the long term, in the year that follows each hire. Our evidence-based method and hands-on onboarding secure leaders who deliver lasting results. Clients return to Nigel Wright Group because our placements perform. They strengthen category teams and support wider talent solutions across the organization. Retention stays high because we match people to the culture as well as the role. Value compounds as those leaders grow the categories they own.

Frequently asked questions

What does a category management search firm do?

A specialist firm finds, assesses, and places senior category leaders for consumer businesses. The work spans category strategy, shopper insight, and commercial planning at Board and C-level. Nigel Wright Group applies this expertise across the US, Europe, and the UK & Ireland.

Which industries does Nigel Wright Group serve?

We focus on consumer-packaged goods and the wider consumer sector. Our reach covers food, beverage, household, beauty, and personal care. This focus rests on over 35 years of sector knowledge. It also stands behind our position as Europe's number one consumer sector search firm.

How does Nigel Wright Group find category management leaders?

Our consultants pair deep sector networks with a rigorous, evidence-based method. They assess each leader for impact, benchmark the market, and stay involved through onboarding. This care helps clients secure executives who perform well past the offer stage.

Why choose Nigel Wright Group as your category management recruitment partner?

We are a category management executive recruitment agency owned entirely by its management team since a 2022 buyout. Every consultant holds a stake in each assignment. That ownership drives service excellence, integrity, and a real commitment to your success.

Partner with a specialist category management search team

Ready to strengthen your category leadership? Nigel Wright Group connects American consumer businesses with the executives who grow brands and win at shelf. Talk to our team about your next senior appointment. Every search starts with a conversation about your goals. See how we Go Further for every client we serve.

United States Office

Telephone: (929) 564-5988

Email: letstalk@nigelwright.com

Address: 353 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 400, New York, NY, US 10016