Join Our Team as a Senior Category Manager - Meat & Poultry!
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Brakes is on the lookout for a Senior Category Manager - Meat & Poultry to join our dynamic Merchandising team on a 9-12 month fixed-term contract. You’ll be reporting directly to the Category Merchandising Director, and your expertise will help shape our category strategy!
Your Mission
In this pivotal role, you will:
* Develop and deliver a comprehensive category plan that drives range development and meets our margin budget.
* Utilize brilliant category insights to evaluate total performance and enhance our market presence.
* Take ownership of category communications across all platforms, ensuring our offerings shine both internally and externally.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a candidate with a well-rounded commercial background, ideally from a Head Office Retail, Foodservice, or blue-chip food manufacturer environment. You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
* A proven track record in applying financial, commercial, or procurement skills to achieve business objectives.
* Experience in driving sales and margin through effective category management.
* Strong analytical skills, with the ability to leverage consumer insights and data analytics for informed decision-making.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (VLOOKUP, Formulas, Pivot Tables) and PowerPoint, along with experience in Tableau.
* A professional qualification in Marketing, Category Management, Merchandising, or CIPS is a plus!
Working Conditions
This is a hybrid role with 1-2 days a week in our Ashford, Kent office. We’re looking for someone located in the Southeast/London area. Flexibility is key, as you’ll need to attend team and supplier meetings across the UK, so a full, clean driving license is essential.
Your Key Responsibilities
* Analyze category performance using customer, market, and supplier insights to create strategies that meet sales and cash margin targets.
* Review and adapt the category strategy monthly, presenting findings and recommendations to the wider team.
* Manage all in-year deliverables, including range plans and new product development.
* Oversee the Sysco 6 Stage Category Management programme.
* Implement promotions and intelligent pricing strategies to protect existing business and explore new opportunities.
* Foster strategic relationships with partner suppliers to drive growth and support margin investments.
* Manage the yearly marketing plan for the category, ensuring supplier activation is on point.
* Support our corporate sustainability policy and pursue recognition with accreditation bodies.
* Train and present to sales teams on category knowledge and strategic messages.
* Ensure accuracy of category data for internal and external communications.
What’s in It for You?
We believe in rewarding our team members! Here’s what you can expect:
* A competitive salary & annual bonus.
* A company car or a cash allowance of £7,000 per annum.
* Enrollment in the Sysco Pension Scheme.
* Life Assurance and private medical healthcare cover.
* A generous holiday allowance of 25 days + bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional holidays.
* Exclusive discounts on delicious food and award-winning products through our staff shop.
* Discounts on cinema tickets, shopping, and cashback on purchases through the Sysco benefits portal.
* Recognition awards and incentives.
* Real career opportunities within Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business!
If you’re passionate about driving category success and ready to make an impact, we want to hear from you!