Head of Category (Grocery)

Iceland Food Group; Aston; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the UK is seeking a committed and passionate Head of Category. The role involves leading cross-functional teams to drive profitable sales growth, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring product quality. Applicants should have at least 6 years of buying experience and strong analytical and negotiation skills. The position offers a supportive work environment with various employee benefits including healthcare plans and discounts.

Benefits

Best Place to Work 2025

Supportive and collaborative team

Healthcare and cash back plans

15% store discount

30% restaurant discount

Partner discounts

Subsidised onsite restaurant

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• 6 years of buying experience required.
• Expert negotiation skills supported by GAP training.
• Strong food industry knowledge and passion.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve sales growth.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships.
• Ensure product quality and safety compliance.
• Organize and lead category reviews and meetings.
• Coaching and developing less experienced team members.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Food knowledge

Job description

As one of the Best Big Companies to Work For, we have a rich history of loving our customers and looking after our teams.

We understand that success is achieved through our people, and we are searching for a committed and passionate Head of Category to join our growing business on a permanent basis.

Purpose of the role :

To lead cross‑functional teams and build long term supplier relationships particularly within Branded FMCG to deliver budgeted sales / margin / commercial income through value and innovation focussed category strategies; often in areas that require increased complexity and / or experience.

What I will do in my job :

DRIVE PROFITABLE SALES GROWTH

Responsible for c.50% of Ambient Grocery Iceland Sales

Deliver strategic category plans through Range Review process

Wider strategic influence and contribution to Trading Directors plan that benefits the overall business

Negotiate lower costs through full use of costing sheets, full use of the grey team, tear downs and GAP led supplier negotiations (full responsibility end to end)

Lead negotiations on behalf of the wider team with key suppliers / brands that are cross category or require additional experience to manage

Utilisation of Plan B suppliers to create necessary tension and improve Trading manager knowledge

Delivery of accurate financial forecast on time to the Trading Director (must not be delegated)

Weekly reporting of accurate sales and profitability information to the Trading Director

Deliver the High Plan commercial budget covering sales and e2e profitability.

INNOVATION AND GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS

Wholesale management of the NPD process and progress for the Trading Director

Coordination of seasonal events across the wider team including price, promotion and differentiation in‑line with Trading Directors vision

Full responsibility for organising and delivery Range Reviews, including strategic category proposals (TD Head of Development and MD present at a minimum)

Identification of key points of difference and innovation that enable a market leading product range, complimented with exclusivity agreements surrounding the supply base and / or concepts

Delivery of all agreed actions through range review process

Full responsibility for transposing range plans and actions into merchandising planograms (via specified in‑direct merchandising report). This includes all stores sizes and fixturisation that meet the ruleset laid out by the Trading Director

Full accountability for the prevention / resolution for all supply and availability issues end to end with a clear plan for stores

Ensure a minimum of 1 competitor shop per fortnight to deliver increased market awareness and shop floor understanding

Ensure full knowledge of market pricing and deliver competitivity in line with Trading Directors plan

Coordinate and deliver monthly pricing meeting for the Trading Director and wider team

FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY COMES FIRST

Full responsibility for product quality and food safety end to end. Managed and delivered via a designated Food Technologist

Ensuring key KPIs are met surrounding customer complaints and quality (e.g. CPMUs, 1 Stars)

Responsible for organising, leading and diarising Ice‑Checks via specified Technologist with subsequent proactive management of issues

Compulsory attendance to 1 Star Reviews and lead

Set and agree industry benchmark for all own label products and operate quality enhancements around this

Full responsibility for setting and agreeing detailed specifications via specified technologist that protect quality ongoing

KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT TO REDUCE COSTS

Full responsibility for de‑ranger and discontinued budget requiring weekly meetings to keep this to an absolute minimum

Full responsibility for wastage budget and reduction and weekly management to optimise costs and margin

Organisation and running of relevant Disc & Deranger meetings for the Trading Director cross‑functionally

Adherence to all policies to ensure the smooth running of the department

Full responsibility for accuracy of administration meeting agreed administration error targets

Coordinate tasks (unprompted)

LOOKING AFTER GREAT PEOPLE & SUPPLIERS

Building strong partnerships and relationships to drive strategic category plans and differentiation; ensuring decision makers are the key point of contact e.g. Commercial Director or equivalent

Honouring the GSCOP guidelines laid out by the government to protect Icelands reputation as a brand

Ensure all supply agreements and JBPs are sales driven with 12 month rolling plans (cost + ORD only)

Management of several ancillary responsibilities for the wider team that often require increased experience and complexity (e.g. Merchandising, Pricing, Channel Plans)

Clear delegation of all administrative activities (excluding Forecasting) to the Trading Administration Team via specified Trading Assistant (in‑direct report)

Clear communication and delegation to dedicated Merchandiser to execute category plans

Compulsory mini team meetings to take place each week with key stakeholders. Led by the Trading Manager

Responsibility for coaching and developing less experienced members of the team across a variety of trading activities (e.g. forecasting, negotiations, range reviews)

Line management responsibility for departmental graduates (where evident)

Line management responsibilities for sub‑teams that are crucial to the role (e.g. Iceland Manufacturing)

Manages the delivery of projects that are exceptional to standard Trading duties (including trials)

Organise and structure the weekly Team meeting for the Trading director (incl. agenda, content and minutes)

Cover for the Trading Director when absent

Specialised skills

Highly analytical and numerate

Excellent communication skills

Expert negotiation skills (supported by GAP training)

Resilience and ability to work at pace

Food knowledge, passion and expertise

Leadership cross‑functionally and amongst peers (TMs)

6 years Buying experience

Alongside this we can offer you :

• Best Place to Work 2025
• Supportive and collaborative team
• Healthcare and cash back plans
• 15% discount in our stores and 30% discount in our group restaurants
• Partner discounts
• Subsidised on site restaurant and Costa (Head Office)
• Mental, physical and financial wellbeing support