Sr. Commercial & Category Manager, EMEA

Sr. Commercial & Category Manager, EMEA – London, United Kingdom

Region: EMEA /
Location: London HQ, United Kingdom

Ready for a fresh, new career? Look no further because one of the world’s most iconic brands can help you get there.

At Subway, “better” is baked into our DNA. We are a brand that believes in continued improvement … in our lives, our businesses, and our planet. From the handshake that started our very first sandwich shop to earning our position as the world’s leading restaurant brands, we’ve always embraced change and the path ahead. And today, we're making better living way easier.

Our purpose is about more than the food we serve in our restaurants.
It’s centered on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. It is one of the most exciting times to join the Subway team and contribute to transformational journey.

Responsible for leading Subway’s commercial strategy and category performance across the region. This role owns the strategy for Menu, Beverages and Impulse, ensuring profitable growth, operational excellence, and strong cross-functional alignment across Subway EMEA markets. Working closely with the EMEA team, country marketing leads, IPC (Subway’s external supply chain partner), commercial finance, operations, and R&D to deliver category growth, improve consumer relevance, and optimize supply, pricing, and promotional performance.

The role will directly manage Subway relationships with Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co for beverages ranging and commercial planning for all EMEA markets. This is a high-impact, highly cross‑functional role suited to a commercially sharp, insight‑driven leader with experience in QSR, retail, or FMCG.

• Own the commercial and financial performance of assigned categories across EMEA.
• Develop insight‑led category strategies (range, merchandising, channel mix) tailored to varied market needs.
• Identify growth opportunities through consumer insights, competitive analysis, market trends, and operational performance.
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives with Procurement (IPC), negotiating supplier funding, cost efficiencies, and long‑term partnerships.
• Own drinks and snacks partnerships, collaborating with the global team & IPC to shape and deliver contractual agreements.

• Partner closely with R&D, Product, Supply Chain, and Ops to deliver successful NPD/EPD that meets customer needs and drives incremental growth.
• Lead governance processes for category decision‑making, including business cases, risk assessments, and stage‑gate submissions.
• Ensure markets receive clear playbooks, compelling sell‑ins, and tools to maximise in‑market execution.

• Lead forecasting and demand planning inputs to ensure availability, reduce waste, and support operational efficiency.
• Work with Supply Chain to balance demand and supply across a complex, multi‑country network.

• Use commercial analytics to assess performance, identify drivers, and inform decision‑making.
• Translate data into clear insights, decisions, and senior‑level recommendations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or any other related field
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience category management, commercial management, merchandising, or procurement within QSR, FMCG, retail, or hospitality.
• Language requirements:
  Fluent in English – any additional language a plus.
• Deep understanding of category levers: range, pricing, promotions, customer insight, supply chain, and product development.
• Experience managing suppliers, negotiating funding, and driving value engineering or cost transformation.
• Skilled at influencing cross‑functional and senior stakeholders across geographies.
• Strong analytical capability; comfortable with financial modelling, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Ability to stay effective under pressure whilst still being able to challenge the status quo in a constructive & professional manner across all levels of the business
• Excellent communicator, highly driven with the ability, through influencing skills, to pull informal teams together to deliver effective results
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, and constantly evolving environment.