Category Controller

MacGregor Black; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MacGregor Black is seeking a Category Controller for nicotine and regulated products at a leading UK wholesale business. This senior role involves developing and leading category strategies, managing teams, and ensuring compliance in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must have a strong commercial background and experience in regulated product environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial, trading, or category role.
• Strong track record of delivering supplier income and team performance.
• Deep understanding of regulated product environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Trading team for nicotine and regulated categories.
• Set and deliver commercial strategy in partnership with the Group Trading Director.
• Manage product portfolio, pricing, and promotions to meet KPIs.

Skills

Commercial strategy

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Direct message the job poster from MacGregor Black

Recruitment Consultant for global roles within the Beverage Industry at MacGregor Black.

Category Controller - Nicotine & Regulated Products

Are you a commercially sharp leader with experience in regulated or age-restricted product categories?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, margin-focused wholesale environment where strategy and execution go hand in hand?

Looking to lead a high-performing Trading team for one of the UK’s leading wholesale businesses?

MacGregor Black are recruiting for one of our clients in the wholesale sector, for a Category Controller – Nicotine & Regulated Products. This is a Permanent role based in London, and requires 5 days a week on site.

In this senior commercial role, you’ll be responsible for driving the category strategy and managing a Trading team to deliver sales, margin, and profitability across a complex and compliance-led product area. You’ll take ownership of the full trading agenda – from portfolio design and price architecture to supplier engagement and promotional execution – while acting as a key strategic partner to internal stakeholders and the wider supplier base.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Trading team responsible for nicotine and related regulated categories
• Set and deliver commercial strategy, working closely with the Group Trading Director
• Manage product portfolio, pricing, promotions, and trading terms to hit category KPIs
• Oversee allocation, pre-sell processes, and seasonal promotional planning
• Build and manage senior supplier relationships, negotiating income and investment
• Coordinate retail initiatives across multiple brands and banners
• Review and benchmark RSPs and promotional plans against competitors
• Own internal cross-functional alignment, ensuring effective delivery of projects across Trading, Marketing, and Operations
• Continuously analyse performance to identify opportunities for growth and improvement

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience in a senior Commercial, Trading, or Category role within Wholesale, Retail, or FMCG
• Strong track record of delivering commercial strategy, supplier income, and team performance
• Deep understanding of regulated categories or age-restricted product environments
• Exceptional negotiation, leadership, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to deliver both vision and executios
• Tenacious, data-driven, and commercially savvy
• Able to navigate complexity with professionalism, agility, and influence

We are committed to being a fair and inclusive employer. If you require any adjustments to support you in the interview process, please let us know.

Salary: Up to £110k (DOE) + benefits & bonus.

Apply via the ad, or contact Kieron Hall at MacGregor Black for a more in-depth conversation.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Purchasing

• Industries

  Tobacco Manufacturing and Retail

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at MacGregor Black by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Category Specialist” roles.

Senior Category Manager - 12 month contract

London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom $41,600.00-$70,720.00 6 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Senior Category Manager/Buyer - Fashion & Accessories

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago

Kingston Upon Thames, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Category Sourcing Manager - Gifting, Accessories, Sampling and TOA

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Senior Category Manager - Store Cupboard

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Retail Buyer / Category Manager - 12 month FTC

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Senior Category Manager - Household & Laundry

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

London, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Assistant Category Manager - Mental Health & Community

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Category Manager - Go-to-Market & Strategy

London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.