Category Manager

White Recruitment; Wembley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days' holiday including bank hols

Private Medical

Pension

Life Assurance

Onsite parking

Job summary

White Recruitment is seeking a commercially driven Category Manager to own category strategies and supplier relationships in a fast-moving retail environment. You will shape range, pricing and promotions with a focus on growing sales and profitability across the UK.

The role offers ownership of end-to-end category plans and opportunities to mentor Category Assistants, with a strong track record in FMCG wholesale or retail preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing category strategies and promotional plans.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to influence decisions.
• Experience in FMCG wholesale or retail environments.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing ability.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior category staff.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering category strategies and plans.
• Owning ranging, pricing and promotional activity.
• Maximising sales, margin and cash profit.
• Building supplier relationships and Joint Business Plans.
• Negotiating supplier funding for marketing and promotions.
• Analyzing category, market and promotional performance.
• Mentoring Category Assistants and developing the team.
• Driving continuous improvement and delivering commercial outcomes.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

Category Manager (485619) Wembley, England

Salary: GBP55000 - GBP66000 per annum + Benefits package

Category Manager - London

£55,000-£66,000 salary | Private Medical | Pension | Life Assurance | 30 days' total holiday including bank holidays | Onsite parking

Are you an experienced Category Manager, Buyer or Commercial professional looking for a role where you can take genuine ownership of category strategy, supplier relationships and commercial performance?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a large, successful, family-owned multinational business and play a key role in shaping the retail proposition for customers and retailers across the UK.

The opportunity

As Category Manager, you'll take end-to-end responsibility for developing and delivering category plans that maximise sales, margin and profitability.

You'll work closely with key suppliers and internal stakeholders to shape range, pricing, promotions and category strategy, while identifying new opportunities to strengthen the customer proposition and deliver commercial growth.

You'll also mentor and develop Category Assistants, giving you the opportunity to share your expertise, develop others and build your leadership capability.

You'll be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering category strategies and plans
• Owning ranging, pricing and promotional activity
• Maximising sales, margin, retail POR and cash profit
• Building strong supplier relationships and Joint Business Plans
• Negotiating supplier funding for marketing, media and promotional initiatives
• Analysing category, market and promotional performance to identify opportunities
• Managing range development and identifying gaps in the product proposition
• Developing the right balance of branded and own-brand products
• Planning seasonal promotions and key commercial initiatives
• Maximising product availability across your categories
• Working closely with internal and external stakeholders
• Mentoring and developing Category Assistants
• Driving continuous improvement and delivering commercially successful outcomes

What you'll bring

We're looking for a commercially driven professional with significant experience in FMCG wholesale or retail, ideally within buying, sales or category management.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience developing and delivering category strategies and promotional plans
• Strong commercial judgement and analytical skills
• Excellent negotiation and influencing ability
• Tenacity, confidence and determination to achieve commercial results
• Strong supplier and stakeholder relationship-building skills
• Experience analysing market, category and performance data
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• A genuine commitment to continuous improvement

This is an opportunity to step into a role with real commercial ownership and influence. You'll work directly with suppliers and internal teams to shape category strategy, improve performance and deliver value for retailers and customers.

You'll join an established and growing international organisation with a strong family-owned heritage, a diverse portfolio of businesses and operations across the UK and internationally.

It's an environment where commercial thinking is valued, ideas can make a difference and your contribution is visible. You'll also have the opportunity to develop your career and broaden your experience within a substantial and diverse organisation.

The package

Plus:

• 30 days' total holiday including bank holidays
• Private Medical
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Onsite parking