Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company? If so, then you could be the newest addition to our team as a Food Category Manager.
About the role
This role plays a key part in driving the success of our food and beverage strategy, using data-driven insights and strong cross-functional collaboration to deliver compelling onboard experiences.
The successful candidate will blend commercial awareness with a passion for customer trends, ensuring that our offerings are both innovative and operationally sound. With a focus on continuous improvement, stakeholder alignment, and commercial performance, this position provides a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact and grow within a forward-thinking organisation.
* Developing and refining category strategies by leveraging data analysis, consumer trends, and supplier insights.
* Managing stock levels across warehouse locations to ensure operational readiness and minimise waste.
* Producing regular commercial reports, tracking margins, and providing actionable insights to improve profitability.
* Overseeing the end-to-end rollout of new menus and offerings, ensuring all relevant teams are briefed and fully equipped.
* Working closely with onboard teams to gather feedback, resolve issues, and update product specifications for continuous improvement.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and you may be required to undertake other duties as requested by your Senior Managers.
About you
You bring over four years of experience in category management within the food, food service, or a closely related sector. With a strong commercial mindset and a passion for delivering great food experiences, you understand what excellence looks like—particularly in quick service restaurants and coffee shop environments.
You’re highly organised, thrive when managing multiple projects, and are skilled at working across teams and agencies to drive results. You’re a confident communicator and natural collaborator, capable of influencing and leading effectively, especially when implementing change across diverse teams. You possess a deep understanding of food preparation standards and food safety legislation, ensuring all offerings meet high-quality and compliance benchmarks. You also have a keen awareness of customer needs, consumer food occasions, and operational challenges—especially within fast-paced passenger ferry or hospitality settings.
Analytically minded and detail-oriented, you’re comfortable working with data to inform decisions, drive growth, and support the execution of category strategies.
Above all, you're proactive, solutions-focused, and passionate about creating food and beverage experiences that delight customers.
Working at DFDS
Join the movement and grow with us. Be a valued member of a diverse team at DFDS and help drive change together. While with us, we want you to develop.
We believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses to support you in your role, if needed.
Benefits
* Life assurance cover
* Contributory company pension scheme
* Holiday Purchase Scheme
* Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between routes
* Full employee assistance programme including proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support
* Range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
* Cashback on healthcare including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, and more
* Access to Breeze, our wellbeing platform
* Access to mental health first aid and support webinars
Ready to apply?
If your personality, skills, experience, and desires align with this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible. We are keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Set up job alerts
Enter your email address to receive alerts about similar jobs. By submitting your email and clicking apply, you agree to our terms and conditions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr