Senior Buying Manager - Confectionery in Wellingborough

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, i.e. 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 Senior Buying Manager, known internally as Category Manager, to join our 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. 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.
• Respond 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:

• Previous experience buying fresh products desired.
• Extensive experience in working in FMG.
• Have a proven record of working autonomously.

About The Company

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we're a place where Everyone's Welcome. We know life looks a little different for each of us. That's why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life‑changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you. We're proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed employer and we're committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

Please note: We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles. Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco.