Senior Category Manager

White Recruitment; Wembley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical

Pension

Life Assurance

30 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Onsite parking

Job summary

White Recruitment is seeking a Senior Category Manager to take ownership of a high-value category across the North London market. The role focuses on shaping category strategy, supplier partnerships and commercial performance to drive sales and profitability.

You will lead category plans, influence pricing, promotions and range, and negotiate with key suppliers to maximise margins. The position offers senior responsibility within a multinational retail environment and significant stakeholder

Qualifications

• Significant senior commercial, buying or trading experience.
• Experience delivering category strategies and plans.
• Proven track record negotiating high-impact deals on cost and margin.
• Excellent commercial judgement and analytical capability.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with FMCG wholesale preferred.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering strategic category plans.
• Owning ranging, pricing and promotional strategies.
• Maximising sales, margin, retail POR and cash profit.
• Building high-value supplier relationships and Joint Business Plans.
• Negotiating supplier deals, costing and margin opportunities.
• Securing supplier investment for marketing, media and promotions.
• Mentoring Category Assistants and driving continuous improvement.

Skills

FMCG wholesale

Senior leadership

Category management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Commercial acumen

Job description

Senior Category Manager (485550) Wembley, England

Salary: GBP65000 - GBP72000 per annum + Benefits package

Senior Category Manager – North London

£65,000–£72,000 salary | Private Medical | Pension | Life Assurance | 30 days’ total holiday including bank holidays | Onsite parking

Are you an experienced Senior Category Manager, Buyer or Commercial Trading professional ready to take ownership of a high-value category and make a significant impact on sales, margin and profitability?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a large, successful, family-owned multinational business and play a senior role in shaping category strategy, supplier partnerships and commercial performance across the retail and wholesale market.

The opportunity

As Senior Category Manager, you’ll have significant commercial ownership, leading the development and delivery of category plans that maximise sales, margin, retail POR and cash profit.

You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders and key suppliers, using market insight, commercial expertise and strong negotiation skills to shape range, pricing, promotions and supplier investment.

This is a role for someone who enjoys having influence, accountability and the opportunity to make commercially significant decisions.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering strategic category plans
• Owning ranging, pricing and promotional strategies
• Maximising sales, margin, retail POR and cash profit
• Building high-value supplier relationships and Joint Business Plans
• Negotiating impactful supplier deals, costing and margin opportunities
• Securing supplier investment for marketing, media and promotional initiatives
• Analysing market, category and promotional performance to identify growth opportunities
• Managing range development, identifying gaps and strengthening the customer proposition
• Developing the optimum balance of branded and own-brand products
• Planning seasonal promotions and key commercial initiatives
• Maximising product availability across your categories
• Influencing senior internal and external stakeholders
• Mentoring and developing Category Assistants
• Driving continuous improvement and delivering sustainable commercial growth

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for an experienced commercial leader with a strong background in FMCG wholesale, ideally within a senior buying, trading or category management environment.

You’ll bring:

• Significant senior commercial, buying or trading experience
• Proven experience developing and delivering category strategies
• A strong track record of negotiating high-impact deals on cost and margin
• Excellent commercial judgement and analytical capability
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Confidence, tenacity and assertiveness when pursuing commercial outcomes
• Experience analysing market, category and performance data
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• A genuine commitment to continuous improvement
• BWS category experience would be advantageous

This is an opportunity to step into a high-profile senior commercial role with genuine influence and accountability.

You’ll have the freedom to shape category strategy, negotiate with key suppliers and make decisions that directly influence sales, profitability, range and customer value.

You’ll join an established and growing international organisation with a strong family-owned heritage, diverse business interests and operations across the UK and internationally.

With significant exposure to senior stakeholders, suppliers and commercial decision-making, this role offers an excellent platform for someone looking to take their category career to the next level.

The package

Plus:

• 30 days’ total holiday including bank holidays
• Private Medical
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Onsite parking

Location: North London / Park Royal

You don’t need to tick every box. If you have the majority of the relevant experience and are ready to take on a senior role with genuine commercial ownership, we’d love to hear from you.