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Category Controller – Foodservice & Convenience
Are you ready to take ownership of a multi-million-pound category and shape the commercial direction of a leading international retailer?
Can you confidently influence internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver results that drive growth, margin, and customer value?
Do you have the strategic mindset and hands-on drive to lead trading initiatives from concept to execution in a fast-paced retail environment?
MB are partnering with an international retailing business or global retail business. Looking for a Category Controller. This is a perm role, on site based in Stoke-on-Trent.
Join a dynamic, international retail organisation as a Category Controller, where you’ll play a central role in shaping the commercial offer across a diverse catering customer base. This is a high-impact leadership position, driving growth and innovation through data-led strategy, supplier engagement, and agile trading practices.
Key Responsibilities:
* Define and execute a compelling commercial strategy for the catering channel, optimising the customer offer across product range, pricing architecture, and promotions.
* Deliver sales, margin, and stock performance targets by managing range development, product lifecycle, allocation and pre-sell initiatives.
* Collaborate with the Promotions team to ensure market-leading activity in both Symbol and Retail Club formats, while continuously reviewing pricing and promotional impact against competitors.
* Act as the key link between internal stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring the smooth rollout of trading projects and timely execution of agreed initiatives.
* Define and manage core convenience and alcohol product assortments, ensuring alignment with shopper missions and customer needs.
* Identify and prioritise key supplier relationships to unlock additional investment, while measuring and recording incremental contributions tied to commercial initiatives.
* Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to bring plans to life across channels – from digital and in-store to promotional marketing.
* Stay close to EPOS insights, customer feedback, and broader market trends to ensure the offer remains relevant and competitive.
* Become the central contact for all trading projects within the Symbol retail channel, providing strategic guidance and coordination across teams.
What We’re Looking For:
* Deep understanding of the FMCG, retail, or wholesale sector – ideally with a strong background in category or commercial management.
* Ability to create and deliver a long-term commercial roadmap while adapting quickly to emerging customer and market trends.
* Skilled at identifying margin opportunities, negotiating supplier support, and delivering against commercial KPIs.
* Natural relationship builder who thrives in cross-functional environments and can influence change across a complex organisation.
* Confident and clear communicator – able to influence senior stakeholders and suppliers, both verbally and in writing.
* Comfortable with numbers, data interpretation and performance measurement to inform decision-making.
* A hands-on problem-solver with a positive, can-do mindset. Constantly seeks improvement and thrives on taking ownership of delivery.
* Trusted leader who operates with discretion, ethical standards, and a deep respect for confidentiality and team alignment.
For more information, please contact Alice Redmond today.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Purchasing and Product Management
* Industries
Retail
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