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- Tasks: Lead category strategy, manage budgets, and drive supplier relationships in a dynamic food environment.
- Company: Join Gousto, a fast-growing recipe box company on a mission to revolutionise home dining.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, inclusivity, and a supportive team culture with great perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experience while working in a passionate, diverse team.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in procurement, negotiation, and category management; ideally GAP trained.
- Other info: Gousto values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Company Description
Here at Gousto, we are on a mission to become the UK\’s most loved way to eat dinner, and for every meal to leave the planet better off. Gousto is changing how people shop, cook and eat food at home. It’s an incredibly exciting time to join our team – and we’re a friendly bunch!
We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK. Powered by data and a love of food, we’re a recipe box company that’s disrupting the sector, and we’re passionate about our diverse team and our customers.
All of our people are responsible for the success of Gousto, and we’re passionate about creating an inclusive environment for all to thrive. Our guiding values – Dream, Deliver and Care – show our commitment to innovation, our ambition to hit goals at speed, and our deep respect for the people we work with.
Job Description
We have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Senior Category Lead to join our team here at Gousto. Reporting to the Director of Buying, you will lead categories including chilled & protein, own the strategic roadmap—driving savings, elevating quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and strengthening supplier relationships. As the category expert, you’ll forecast budgets, track commodities, manage risks, and work cross-functionally to launch innovation and responsible sourcing programmes.
In addition you will manage a small but mighty team of category experts, while collaborating with other Category Lead across the team. Food is at the heart of Gousto, this is an incredible opportunity to have a direct impact on the customer while continuing to elevate the customer experience!
Core Responsibilities
- Execute defined category strategy, aligning with Procurement procedures
- Ensure legislative & regulatory compliance across all sub‑categories
- Drive delivery of targets, including savings, service levels, quality, and value chain KPIs
- Lead category reviews and build long-term plans (include consortium, MvB, NPD, responsibility work)
- Manage annual budget and monthly re-forecasting
- Monitor commodity pricing vs. contract, leveraging data for decisions
- Develop mitigation strategies for commodity risk
- Lead senior-level supplier relationships, setting and enforcing performance metrics
- Liaise with internal stakeholders (incl. Group companies) to understand demand and align strategy
- Oversee administrative compliance across department needs
- Mentor junior team members; deputise for Buying Director when required
- Lead cross-category or cross-functional supplier-related projects
Who you are:
- Deep expertise in negotiation, contract law, value engineering, forecasting & commodity analysis
- Proven track record in manufacturing or grocery retail procurement
- Managing chilled and / or protein categories would be hugely beneficial
- Commercial Drive, proactive, relentless on cost, knows your numbers, has a plan
- Strong thinking skills—analysis, decision-making, planning
- Strategic Thinking, Independent, creative, balanced in recommendations
- Communication & Influence, adapts style, presents clearly, gains buy-in at all levels
- Leadership, inspires, coaches, improves procurement processes
- Team Orientation, prioritises company-wide success over personal/team goals
- Customer Focus, Understands customer needs, becomes category expert
Qualifications
- Ideally GAP trained (or equivalent)
Additional Information
Benefits
Click here to see our company benefits!
Interview Process
- Call with a Talent Acquisition
- 1st stage interview with Hiring Manager
- 2nd stage interview / task with stakeholder
- 3rd stage interview meeting the team
Gousto is for everyone:
Whether it’s creating diversity in our recipes or building new teams, we care about our people and the opportunities they have at Gousto. Across our business we lead with inclusivity and strive for equality in all we do; working hard to ensure Gousto is an environment where you can be totally yourself.
Everyone is welcome and we’re looking for applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
Excited but wondering if you tick every box? We recommend applying anyway so that we can review your profile . And, if you’re in a job share, why not just apply as a pair.
For our roles outside of Operations, most of our people spend 1 or 2 days in our offices every week, combining the benefits of flexibility and time together with colleagues. We want to enable you to do your best work, and if you require additional flexibility, please talk to us about it.
If you have a disability that you’re worried will affect you during the interview process, please let us know and we will do our best to help you feel comfortable.
We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please let us know.
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Senior Category Lead employer: SLAMcore
Contact Detail:
SLAMcore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Gousto's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to sustainability and customer experience will help you align your answers during interviews, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare specific examples of your experience in managing chilled and protein categories. Highlight any successful negotiations or supplier relationships you've built, as these are crucial for the Senior Category Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research current trends in the grocery retail sector, especially around procurement and sustainability. Being able to discuss these trends will demonstrate your industry knowledge and strategic thinking skills during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by preparing to discuss how you've mentored team members in the past. Gousto values team orientation and collaboration, so emphasising your ability to inspire and coach others will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Before applying, take some time to understand Gousto's mission and values. Highlight how your personal values align with their commitment to inclusivity and innovation in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in procurement, particularly in managing chilled and protein categories. Use specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and strategic thinking.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and how you can contribute to Gousto's mission. Mention your experience with budget management and supplier relationships, and how these will help you excel in the Senior Category Lead role.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: When detailing your work experience, focus on quantifiable achievements related to cost savings, quality improvements, and successful project management. This will help illustrate your commercial drive and ability to deliver results.
How to prepare for a job interview at SLAMcore
✨Understand Gousto's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you understand Gousto's mission to become the UK's most loved way to eat dinner. Familiarise yourself with their values of Dream, Deliver, and Care, as this will help you align your answers with their company culture.
✨Showcase Your Category Expertise
As a Senior Category Lead, you'll need to demonstrate deep expertise in negotiation, contract law, and commodity analysis. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your success in managing chilled and protein categories.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Gousto values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with different teams in the past, and how you plan to liaise with internal stakeholders to align strategies.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since you'll be managing a small team, it's crucial to showcase your leadership abilities. Think of examples where you've inspired or mentored others, and be prepared to discuss how you would approach leading your team at Gousto.
