FMCG Category Manager: Strategy & Growth Lead

Bestway Wholesale Limited; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

22 days annual leave

Life Assurance

Private Medical

Onsite parking

Job summary

Bestway Wholesale Limited is seeking a Category Manager to deliver Category Plans that maximise sales and profit for Bestway Foodservice and our Caterers. The role covers ranging, pricing, strategy development, supplier management, and promotional planning, with mentoring responsibilities for Category Assistants.

You will drive Category strategy, negotiate with suppliers for income on media/promotional initiatives, and ensure timely admin and data-driven forecasting across categories.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in FMCG Wholesale or Foodservice sector (Buying/Sales/Category Management).
• Ability to demonstrate tenacity, determination, and assertiveness for commercial outcomes.
• Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong negotiator with experience in supplier discussions and Joint Business Plans.
• Experience creating and delivering Category Strategy and promotional plans.
• Numerate with ability to analyze performance and market data.
• Problem solving skills and commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Ensure activities support achievement of the budget for sales, wholesale margin and cash profit.
• Maximise product category availability through sound commercial reasoning.
• Engage with suppliers to generate Joint Business Plans.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
• Create and implement Category strategy and plans to meet financial targets.
• Negotiate income from suppliers for media and promotional initiatives.
• Range and price products in line with current policy and strategy.
• Plan and communicate requirements for seasonal promotions and initiatives across the supply base and internal departments.
• Manage range development, gap analysis, and price proposition with suppliers.
• Define and manage Own Brand strategy to balance branded vs own-brand products.
• Ensure admin tasks for the Category are completed on time.
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and forecasts for product categories.

Skills

FMCG experience

Category management

Negotiation

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Influencing skills

Problem solving

Job description

Bestway Wholesale Limited is seeking a Category Manager to deliver Category Plans that maximise sales and profit for Bestway Foodservice and our Caterers. The role covers ranging, pricing, strategy development, supplier management, and promotional planning, with mentoring responsibilities for Category Assistants.

You will drive Category strategy, negotiate with suppliers for income on media/promotional initiatives, and ensure timely admin and data-driven forecasting across categories.