Category Manager - £55k plus Package
Role: Category Manager
Client: Leading Food Wholesaler
Salary: £55,000 plus package, including £7000 car allowance.
Location: Workind from home and in Berkshire
A UK leading Food Wholesaler is looking for a Category Manager to join their Buying team, managing high-profile product categories worth c.£200m.
This role is key to ensuring their product ranges deliver for both customers and the business - balancing quality, variety, competitiveness, and innovation while respecting operational efficiencies.
You will work closely with suppliers, sales teams, marketing, and insights, as well as directly with customers, and deliver best-in-class Category range strategy.
The Role:
1. Strategically manage and optimise the category range to meet customer needs.
2. Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver income, innovation, and category KPIs.
3. Identify range gaps and remove duplication through data-driven insight and customer engagement.
4. Conduct category reviews and deliver bi-annual category plans.
5. Support corporate initiatives and cross-functional projects (e.g., seasonal campaigns, trade events).
Requirements:
6. A relevant qualification in Business, Marketing, or equivalent experience.
7. Proven experience in category management, buying, or product strategy (food, retail, or FMCG preferred).
8. Experience managing NPD pipelines and delivering innovation to market.
9. Excellent influencing skills to engage both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
10. A genuine passion for food and product innovation.
If you're commercially driven, customer-focused, and ready to take ownership of a major category, please apply asap / email claire.shipman@1st-executive.com to discuss.