At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise profitability of grocery categories and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join the dynamic Booker Group with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts at Tesco, health benefits, and a great holiday package.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and development in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in category management.
The predicted salary is between 24960 - 31200 £ per year.
Closing Date: 19/06/2026
Job Category: Product/Trading
Dept/Region: Business Area: Booker Group
What's in it for you:
- 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 throughout 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.
About the role:
We are seeking a driven and commercially minded Category Manager to join our Grocery team. In this role, you will play a key part in maximising the profitability of specified product categories, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving cash profit across the business. As Category Manager, you will take ownership of category performance, using insight, analysis, and market understanding to shape strategy, optimise ranges, and deliver sustainable growth. You’ll collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure our offer remains competitive, relevant, and aligned with customer needs. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced wholesale/retail environment and is ready to make a measurable impact. This role can be based out of Wellingborough, Eccles or Watford.
You will be responsible for:
- The development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of sales, margin and profit are met whilst maintaining continuity of product availability.
- Growth of own brand business, sourcing as appropriate to grow sales and margins.
- Annual negotiation with suppliers to ensure competitive terms year on year.
- Seek and react to customer feedback at every opportunity, shaping the category plan, whilst linking to the sell plan and customer satisfaction.
- Responds to customer queries and complaints professionally, at speed.
- Be able to communicate category plans and objectives for relevant product categories, ensuring understanding and buy-in is achieved.
- Ensure product area in the business centres reflect the principles of good, better and best.
- Working as part of the team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working.
- Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence championing diversity and inclusion.
You will need:
- Exceptional communication & stakeholder management.
- Be able to work independently, to problem solve and make commercial decisions.
- 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:
- Have a proven record of working autonomously.
- Have experience of development and management of marketing campaigns.
We reserve the right to limit the age of applicants for early shift positions to individuals over 18 years old.
Category Manager - Grocery in Watford employer: Booker Group plc
At Booker Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our colleagues and their contributions. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including discounts at Tesco, a robust pension scheme, and health support resources. Our collaborative work culture fosters growth and innovation, making it an ideal environment for a Category Manager to thrive and make a significant impact in the grocery sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Grocery in Watford
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Booker Group plc!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Booker Group plc would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Booker Group plc through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Grocery in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Category Manager - Grocery, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Category Manager - Grocery position at Booker Group plc. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Booker Group plc
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
