Category Manager - Beers, Wines and Spirits (BWS)

Undisclosed; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Undisclosed is recruiting a Category Manager for Beers, Wines and Spirits in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. The role is permanent and onsite, offering a salary of £60,000 per year.

You will deliver Category Plans to maximise sales and profit, manage ranging, pricing, supplier relationships, and promotional planning, while mentoring Category Assistants.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG wholesale or retail sector (Buying, Sales or Category Management).
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies.
• Analytical mindset with experience analysing performance data.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication abilities.
• Problem solving and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Category Plans to maximise sales and profit.
• Manage ranging, pricing, supplier management, and promotions.
• Mentor Category Assistants and oversee related activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers to build Joint Business Plans.
• Analyse promotional effectiveness and forecasts.
• Ensure category admin tasks are completed accurately.

Skills

FMCG experience

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Category strategy

Problem solving

Job description

Category Manager - Beers, Wines and Spirits (BWS)

The location of the role is Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent (onsite).

The position is permanent.

The salary on offer is £60,000.

This role is working at a leading UK wholesale and retail business.

Role Summary:

We are currently looking to appoint a Category Manager who will be responsible for the delivery of Category Plans that maximise sales and profit for both our business and customers. The role encompasses all aspects of Category Management including ranging, pricing, strategy development, supplier management, promotional planning and securing income for marketing and media support.

The Category Manager will also mentor and develop Category Assistants and oversee the Category specific activities of Category Assistants.

Key accountabilities of the role

• Ensure all activities and decisions support achievement and delivery of the budget for sales, wholesale margin, retail POR and cash profit
• Use sound commercial reasoning and influence to ensure that availability is maximised across product categories
• Working closely with suppliers to generate Joint Business Plans
• Effective focus and management of internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Creation and implementation of Category strategy, to include the delivery of Category plans to ensure that financial targets are met
• Negotiating income from suppliers for media promotional support and specific initiatives
• Ranging and pricing of all products in line with current pricing policy and business strategy
• Planning and communicating requirements for seasonal promotional events and corporate initiatives across the supply base and via internal departments
• Range management and development - identifying gaps, reviewing the current range status, liaising with key suppliers, and managing the price proposition
• Define and manage the strategy for Own Brand to ensure the Category has the correct balance of branded and own brand products to deliver a commercially sound range/portfolio
• Ensuring that admin tasks for the specific Category are completed correctly and on time
• Accurately analysing promotional effectiveness and forecasts for specific product categories

Key skills and experience

• Experience in FMCG Wholesale or Retail sector (Buying Sales or Category Management)
• The ability to confidently demonstrate tenacity, determination, and assertiveness in pursuit of a commercially successful outcome, managing conflict where necessary
• The ability to build relationships internally and externally using effective influencing skills
• A strong and effective negotiator
• Experience of creating and delivering Category Strategy and promotional plans
• Numerate, with experience of analysing performance and market data
• Problem solving skills and a commitment to continuous improvement