Category Manager - Wine (on trade)

Booker; Garston; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a passionate Category Manager to oversee the Wine category within their Alcohol team. You will manage supplier negotiations, implement category plans, and enhance customer satisfaction—all while enjoying a hybrid working model. Ideal candidates will have experience in buying and FMG.

Benefits

10% discount at Booker

Tesco colleague discount card

Pension matching contributions

Health and Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Previous experience in buying desired.
• Extensive experience in working in FMG.
• Proven record of working autonomously.
• Experience in development and management of marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans to meet sales, margin, and profit goals.
• Negotiate with suppliers annually for competitive terms.
• Respond to customer and supplier queries professionally and promptly.
• Communicate category plans clearly to ensure understanding.
• Lead the category team, manage performance, and maintain effective succession plans.

Skills

Exceptional communication

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Job description

What's in it for you

At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:

• A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
• After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
• Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
• An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
• After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
• Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
• Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
• Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.
• A great holiday package

About the role

Reporting to:Lead Category Manager Based: Equity, Eccles or Watford

We're on the hunt for a passionate and commercially savvy Category Manager to lead the charge in our Wine categorya key part of our dynamic Alcohol team

This role can be based from any of our offices in Equity, Eccles, or Watford- giving you the flexibility to choose the location that works best for you. We also offer a hybrid working model, allowing you to combine the benefits of office collaboration with the convenience of remote working.

Job Summary Maximising the profitability of specified product categories, improving customer satisfaction, and cash profit.

You will be responsible for

• The development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of sales, margin and profit are met whilst maintaining continuity of product availability.
• Annual negotiation with suppliers to ensure competitive terms year on year.
• Seek and react to customer feedback at every opportunity, shaping the category plan, whilst linking to the sell plan and customer satisfaction.
• Responds to customer, supplier or internal queries professionally, at speed.
• Be able to communicate category plans and objectives for relevant product categories, ensuring understanding and buy-in is achieved.
• Ensure my product area in the business centres reflect the principles of good, better and best.
• Working as part of the senior team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working.
• Leadership of the category team, manage performance and have effective succession plans in place supporting Booker in Making Everyone Welcome' and A Place to Get On'.
• Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence championing diversity and inclusion.

You will need

Operational skills relevant for this job

• Exceptional communication & stakeholder management.
• Be able to work independently, to problem solve and make commercial decisions.
• Attention to detail, writing of reports, interpreting data and keeping of accurate records.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant markets and market developments.
• Ability to flex work approach.

Experience relevant for this job:

• Previous experience in buying desired
• Extensive experience in working in FMG
• Have a proven record of working autonomously.
• Have experience of development and management of marketing campaigns.