Category Manager - Wine (on trade)

Booker Group; Bushey; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food wholesaler in the UK is seeking a passionate Category Manager to lead the Wine category. This role offers hybrid working options and flexible location. Responsibilities include developing category plans, negotiating with suppliers, and managing the category team. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and prior experience in buying, with a focus on achieving sales and profit targets.

Benefits

Colleague discount card for Booker and Tesco

Retirement savings plan with matching contributions

Comprehensive holiday package

Health and Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Prior buying experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in FMG desirable.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and manage marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop category plans to meet sales, margin, and profit targets.
• Negotiate annually with suppliers for favorable terms.
• Gather and respond to customer feedback.
• Ensure product offerings meet quality standards.
• Lead category team and manage performance.

Skills

Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills

Problem-solving and commercial decision-making

Attention to detail and report writing

Market knowledge and awareness

Flexibility in work approach

Education

Experience in buying preferred

Experience in FMG desirable

Job description

What's in it for you

At Booker, we offer a fantastic benefits package along with a great working environment and career opportunities:

• A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
• After 3 months, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for four days after each pay day, thirteen times a year, plus 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM-only deals with Tesco Mobile, plus additional deals throughout the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet, and home insurance at Tesco Bank (terms apply).
• Free eye tests and discounts on glasses and contact lenses when you spend GBP50 or more.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Discounted RAC breakdown cover rates.
• An exclusive deals website and cycle to work scheme.
• After 3 months, eligibility to join our Save As You Earn share scheme to buy Tesco shares at a discount.
• Retirement savings plan (pension) with Booker matching contributions up to 5%.
• Life Assurance coverage of up to three times your annual pay.
• Health and Wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP services.
• A comprehensive holiday package.

About the role

Reporting to: Lead Category Manager

Location: Equity, Eccles, or Watford (hybrid working available)

We seek a passionate and commercially savvy Category Manager to lead our Wine category within the Alcohol team. The role offers flexibility in location and hybrid working options.

Job Summary: Maximise the profitability of specific product categories, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve cash profit.

You will be responsible for

• Developing and implementing category plans to meet sales, margin, and profit targets while maintaining product availability.
• Negotiating annually with suppliers for favorable terms.
• Gathering and responding to customer feedback to shape category plans.
• Responding professionally to queries from customers, suppliers, or internal teams.
• Communicating category plans effectively to ensure understanding and buy-in.
• Ensuring product offerings reflect good, better, and best principles.
• Collaborating with the senior team to identify opportunities and improve processes.
• Leading the category team, managing performance, and supporting Booker’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

You will need

Operational skills:

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and make commercial decisions.
• Attention to detail, report writing, data analysis, and accurate record keeping.
• Market knowledge and awareness of developments.
• Flexibility in work approach.

Experience:

• Previous buying experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in FMG desirable.
• Proven ability to work autonomously.
• Experience in developing and managing marketing campaigns.

About The Company

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler, serving independent retailers, caterers, and small businesses nationwide. We operate over 190 branches, distribution centers, logistics sites, and support centers across the UK.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone. We support flexible working arrangements to accommodate different life circumstances.

Please note: Candidates must be over 18 for roles involving early morning, late evening, warehouse, or driving duties. High application volumes may lead to early closing of roles. We provide feedback only to interviewed candidates.

Booker Group is part of Tesco plc but operates independently, with different benefits from Tesco.