Category Manager

Pod Talent Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Pod Talent Ltd in London is partnering with a leading UK wholesaler to hire a Category Manager, 5 days office-based in West London. The role covers category strategy, ranging, pricing, supplier management, promotional planning and supporting marketing income, while mentoring Category Assistants.

This is a high-visibility position with significant scope for career growth in a multi-billion-pound business, offering development opportunities and progression.

Qualifications

• Strong FMCG wholesale, retail, buying, category management, or commercial experience is required.
• Proven negotiation ability and influence with stakeholders to deliver commercial outcomes.
• Experience developing and delivering category strategies, promotional plans, and growth initiatives.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret performance and market data.
• Resilient problem-solver with continuous improvement mindset and excellent relationship-building capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Own category performance, ensuring delivery of sales, margin, profit, and budget targets through strong commercial decision-making.
• Develop and execute category strategies, including range management, pricing, own-brand development, and category growth plans.
• Build and manage supplier partnerships, leading Joint Business Plans, commercial negotiations, and promotional funding agreements.
• Maximise product availability through forecasting, seasonal planning, promotional execution, and cross-functional stakeholder management.
• Analyse category, market, and promotional performance to identify opportunities, drive continuous improvement, and support business objectives.

Skills

FMCG experience

Wholesale exposure

Category management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder influence

Job description

I am excited to be partnering with a leading UK wholesaler that is expanding its growing team in West London and is looking to hire a Category Manager (5 days office-based).

The role offers broad exposure across Category Management, including category strategy, ranging, pricing, supplier management, promotional planning, and negotiating marketing and media support income. You'll also play a key role in mentoring and developing Category Assistants.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a multi-billion-pound business with a strong market presence, offering significant scope for career growth, development, and progression.

In this role, you will:

• Own category performance, ensuring delivery of sales, margin, profit, and budget targets through strong commercial decision-making.
• Develop and execute category strategies, including range management, pricing, own-brand development, and category growth plans.
• Build and manage supplier partnerships, leading Joint Business Plans, commercial negotiations, and promotional funding agreements.
• Maximise product availability through effective forecasting, seasonal planning, promotional execution, and cross-functional stakeholder management.
• Analyse category, market, and promotional performance to identify opportunities, drive continuous improvement, and support business objectives.

About you:

• Strong FMCG wholesale, retail, buying, category management, or commercial experience.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively and influence stakeholders to achieve commercially successful outcomes.
• Experience developing and delivering category strategies, promotional plans, and growth initiatives.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret performance and market data.
• Resilient problem-solver with a continuous improvement mindset and excellent relationship-building capabilities.

Please note: sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.