Category Manager – Meat & Seafood

D R Newitt Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading premium food distributor is looking for a dynamic Category Manager for Meat & Seafood in Greater London. You will drive the category's growth by managing a team, shaping strategy, and building supplier partnerships. The role demands strong knowledge of meat and seafood markets, excellent leadership, and negotiation skills. If you have a passion for premium food and thrive in a commercial setting, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in people management within food distribution.
• Strong understanding of UK and international meat and seafood markets.
• Ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical and communication skills.
• Experience using ERP systems, Excel and PowerPoint

Responsibilities

• Drive commercial performance and growth of the Meat & Seafood category.
• Develop and inspire a team, fostering a high-performing culture.
• Build strategic supplier partnerships and support negotiations.
• Identify new product opportunities, range development and market trends
• Work closely with sales, marketing, supply chain and quality teams to deliver exceptional products and service
• Manage pricing, margins, demand planning and supplier performance
• Bring fresh ideas to the category, helping to shape the future of a premium product portfolio

Skills

People management experience

Knowledge of meat and seafood markets

Commercially sharp mindset

Excellent negotiation skills

Stakeholder influence

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

A leading premium fine food distributor supplying some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, luxury hotels and specialist retailers is looking for a dynamic and commercially driven Category Manager – Meat & Seafood to lead and grow a key product category.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who thrives on identifying opportunities, building strong supplier partnerships and driving commercial growth in a fast-paced, premium food environment.

You will take full ownership of the Meat & Seafood category, shaping strategy, managing supplier relationships and leading a team of six, while ensuring the business stays ahead of market trends, customer expectations and product innovation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Drive the commercial performance and growth of the Meat & Seafood category
• Lead, develop and inspire a team of up to six, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture
• Build strategic supplier partnerships and support key commercial negotiations
• Identify new product opportunities, range development and market trends
• Work closely with sales, marketing, supply chain and quality teams to deliver exceptional products and service
• Manage pricing, margins, demand planning and supplier performance
• Bring fresh ideas to the category, helping to shape the future of a premium product portfolio

What We’re Looking For

• People management experience within food distribution or a related sector
• Strong knowledge of meat and seafood markets, both UK and international
• A commercially sharp and entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for premium food
• Proven ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders
• Excellent negotiation, analytical and communication skills
• Experience using ERP systems, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of UK POAO import regulations

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing international food business where innovation, quality and collaboration are at the heart of everything they do.

If you’re passionate about premium food, thrive in a commercial environment and want to make a real impact in a high-value category, we’d love to hear from you.