Reporting to: Category Manager Based : Wellingborough / Watford Job Summary Play a key role in shaping our product categories, delighting customers, and driving cash profit - all while building standout skills in a major UK business.We’re excited to offer a 10 ‑month fixed‑term opportunity to join our Catering team as a Category Manager - Designate. This role is perfect for someone who wants to accelerate their career, gain hands‑on experience in a large, well‑established organisation, and develop the kind of commercial skills that open doors.As a Category Manager - Designate, you’ll be stepping into a role designed around your growth. You’ll work closely with an experienced mentor, be supported by a structured development programme, and get real exposure to how a major product function operates. You’ll build confidence, learn how to manage a product portfolio, and contribute to decisions that genuinely impact the business.Whether you’re looking to step up, switch direction, or gain experience in a competitive field, this role gives you the platform to do it - with the backing of a respected brand and a team invested in your development.This is a hybrid role, giving you the flexibility to balance focused home working with valuable in‑person collaboration. The development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of sales, margin and profit are met whilst maintaining continuity of product availability. Source and manage products to grow both brand and own brand sales and profitability. Work with suppliers to deliver best availability, profitability and customer satisfaction. Seek and react to customer feedback to help shape the category plan. Develop and communicate a category plan for the relevant product category. Ensure product range reflects customer needs, e.g. follows the principles of good, better and best. Communicate and develop relationships across other parts of the business, e.g. supply chain, sales teams and operations. Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence championing diversity and inclusion. Operational skills relevant for this job Exceptional communication & stakeholder management Be able to work independently to problem solve and make commercial decisions Solid understanding of commercial requirements, profit calculation, sales analysis, 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: Understanding of Buying