About the role
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.
Main Responsibilities
* 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.
You will need
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
What's in it for you
At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:
* A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
* After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
* 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
* Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
* Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
* 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
* Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
* An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
* After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
* Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
* Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
* Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.
* A great holiday package