Category Manager

Foodbuy; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Category Manager to lead the strategic development of their Impulse category. This role offers the chance to manage a £20m category and influence procurement strategies across renowned clients. You'll collaborate with stakeholders, drive growth through data insights, and ensure excellence in supply chain compliance. Join a forward-thinking organization that values career development and offers a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and free meals on site. If you're ready to make a significant impact in a data-led environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Free Meals

Contributory Pension Scheme

Career Pathways and Personalised Development

Digital GP & Wellbeing Support

Discounts with Major Retailers

Wellness Sessions

Perks to Share with Friends and Family

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management or procurement, ideally within FMCG, retail, or foodservice.
• Strong analytical ability and confidence in drawing insights from complex data sets.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Impulse category strategy, delivering a 3-year growth plan.
• Lead supplier relationships, managing contracts and performance reviews.
• Monitor and manage supplier service levels into distributors.

Skills

Category Management

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Job description

Category Manager - Impulse

Hybrid (Chertsey or London -based) | Competitive Salary + Bonus | Private Medical | Free Meals | Career Development

Join one of the UK’s leading food procurement organisations and help shape the future of the Impulse category.

At Foodbuy, we manage over £2bn in spend annually, working with the biggest names in foodservice and hospitality to deliver best-in-class procurement solutions. As part of Compass Group UK&I, our impact spans the public and private sectors—and we’re growing.

We’re now hiring a Category Manager - Impulse to lead the strategic development and day-to-day management of a £20m category within our £270m Retail portfolio. This is a fantastic opportunity to take full ownership of a high-profile category and influence procurement strategy across a range of well-known clients.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Own and evolve the Impulse category strategy, delivering a 3-year growth plan aligned with wider business goals.
  
• Lead supplier relationships, from contract management to performance reviews, using data to drive improvement.
  
• Manage category range implementation across the UK & Ireland—ensuring excellence in supply chain compliance and commercial value.
  
• Drive volume growth and rebate delivery through collaboration with Strategic Sourcing and internal stakeholders.
  
• Lead and support a Category Buyer, fostering development and performance.
  
• Monitor and manage supplier service levels into distributors, ensuring high standards and business continuity.
  
• Keep your finger on the pulse with competitor intelligence, market insight, and trend analysis to identify growth opportunities.
  

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven experience in category management or procurement, ideally within FMCG, retail, or foodservice.
  
• World-class negotiation skills and a strong commercial mindset.
  
• Excellent leadership and project management capabilities.
  
• Strong analytical ability and confidence in drawing insights from complex data sets.
  
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels.
  

What’s in It for You:

• Competitive salary + bonus scheme
  
• Private medical insurance
  
• Free meals on site
  
• Contributory pension scheme
  
• Career pathways and personalised development
  
• Digital GP & wellbeing support
  
• Discounts with major retailers, cinemas, travel brands & more
  
• Wellness sessions including mindfulness & exercise classes
  
• Perks you can share with friends and family
  

If you're a commercially driven category professional looking to take ownership of a strategic portfolio in a dynamic and data-led environment—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and make your mark at the UK’s leading group purchasing organisation.