Category Controller

JR United Kingdom; Slough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading wholesale business as a Category Controller for Nicotine & Regulated Products. In this senior role, you'll drive strategy and lead a Trading team to enhance sales and profitability. Strong negotiation and leadership skills are essential, focusing on regulated product categories with a salary of up to £110k plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial role within wholesale or FMCG.
• Strong track record of delivering commercial strategies.
• Experience with regulated categories or age-restricted products.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trading team for nicotine and regulated categories.
• Set and deliver commercial strategy in collaboration with the Group Trading Director.
• Manage portfolio, pricing, and promotional planning.

Skills

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Data-Driven Decision Making

Commercial Acumen

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

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.