Category Manager

Level Up Recruitment; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

25% bonus on performance

Healthcare support

Pension

Job summary

Level Up Recruitment is partnering with a major UK fresh food group to appoint a Category Manager - Fresh Seafood. You will lead the commercial strategy, sourcing and development of the seafood category, covering Salmon, Haddock, Seabass, Cod and Hake, and drive supplier relationships and performance.

You will shape sourcing approaches, negotiate with producers and expand product and market opportunities, with regular travel across the UK and internationally.

Qualifications

• Significant buying or category experience within Fresh Seafood.
• Strong knowledge of Fresh Salmon, Haddock and Seabass.
• Experience across foodservice, seafood processing, production or wholesale.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering the commercial strategy for Fresh Seafood.
• Managing key species including Salmon, Haddock, Seabass, Cod and Hake.
• Leading supplier negotiations, contracts and commercial agreements.
• Identifying new products, suppliers and commercial opportunities.
• Collaborating across Sales, Operations, Technical, Logistics and Marketing.

Skills

Fresh Seafood buying

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Salmon/Haddock/Seabass knowledge

Job description

Are you an experienced Fresh Seafood Category Manager or Senior Buyer who understands the market, knows the supply base and wants the opportunity to genuinely influence the sourcing strategy of a major UK fresh food business?

We are recruiting on behalf of a large, established and growing fresh food group looking to appoint a Category Manager - Fresh Seafood to lead the commercial strategy, sourcing and continued development of a significant seafood category.

With responsibility for key species including Fresh Salmon, Haddock, Seabass, Cod and Hake, you'll lead sourcing strategy, supplier relationships and commercial performance while helping the business develop a new approach to how it works with producers.

A Role With Genuine Commercial Influence

This isn't simply about maintaining an existing supplier base.

The business has ambitious growth plans and is looking to strengthen its relationships directly with producers, evolve its sourcing strategy and identify new products, suppliers and routes to market.

You'll have the opportunity to challenge existing ways of working and play an important role in shaping the future direction of the category.

You'll also be close to the supply market, regularly meeting producers and suppliers across the UK and internationally, including Norway, Iceland, Turkey and Scotland.

The Category Manager Role.

• Developing and delivering the commercial strategy for Fresh Seafood
• Managing key species including Salmon, Haddock, Seabass, Cod and Hake
• Driving sales, margin, volume, availability and range growth
• Leading supplier negotiations, contracts and commercial agreements
• Developing stronger direct-to-producer sourcing relationships
• Identifying new products, suppliers and commercial opportunities
• Managing seasonal availability and mitigating supply-chain risk
• Monitoring market movements, pricing and customer demand
• Working with Supply Chain and Operations to optimise freshness, availability, waste and stock flow
• Supporting responsible sourcing and seafood sustainability standards including ASC, MSC and MCS
• Working collaboratively across Sales, Operations, Technical, Logistics and Marketing

About You

You'll already have significant buying or category experience within Fresh Seafood, with particularly strong knowledge of Fresh Salmon, Haddock and Seabass. Broader knowledge across multiple seafood species would be a significant advantage.

Experience within foodservice, seafood processing, production or wholesale is particularly relevant, as is experience of working directly with producers and international supply markets.

Commercially, you'll need to demonstrate a track record of building profitable categories, negotiating effectively with suppliers and delivering measurable growth.

We're also looking for the right personality. You'll be a strong, resilient and confident character who isn't afraid to tackle challenges head on. At the same time, you'll be collaborative, emotionally intelligent and capable of building relationships at every level - from producers and operational teams through to senior leadership.

If you've reached the stage in your career where you want to do more than simply manage a category - and want the opportunity to shape strategy, influence change and deliver genuine commercial growth - this could be an excellent next move.

Package

Basic salary: £70,000, car allowance, 25% bonus based on individual and company performance

Location: Flexible UK location, with regular travel to operational sites

Travel: Regular UK and international supplier travel

A comprehensive benefits package is also available, including healthcare support, pension, and employee discounts