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:

• Strategically manage and optimise the category range to meet customer needs.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver income, innovation, and category KPIs.
• Identify range gaps and remove duplication through data-driven insight and customer engagement.
• Conduct category reviews and deliver bi-annual category plans.
• Support corporate initiatives and cross-functional projects (e.g., seasonal campaigns, trade events).

Requirements:

• A relevant qualification in Business, Marketing, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in category management, buying, or product strategy (food, retail, or FMCG preferred).
• Experience managing NPD pipelines and delivering innovation to market.
• Excellent influencing skills to engage both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• 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.