At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise profitability of grocery categories and enhance customer satisfaction through strategic planning.
- Company: Join Booker, the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler with a commitment to diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team setting.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping product offerings.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying fresh products and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- Work as part of the team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working.
- Follow our Business Code of Conduct and always act with integrity and due diligence, championing diversity and inclusion.
Operational Skills
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management.
- Work independently, problem‑solve, and make commercial decisions.
- Attention to detail, writing reports, interpreting data, and keeping accurate records.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant markets and market developments.
- Ability to flex work approach.
Experience
- Previous experience buying fresh products (desired).
- Extensive experience working in FMG.
- Proven record of working autonomously.
- Experience of development and management of marketing campaigns.
Booker is the UK’s leading food & drink wholesaler, operating over 190 cash and carry branches, 8 distribution centres, 5 Best Food Logistics sites, and 6 support centre locations. We serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses across the country. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Everyone’s welcome and we strive for a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
Buying / Category Manager - Grocery employer: Booker
At Booker, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the grocery sector, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career advancement, all while promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion. With locations in Wellingborough, Eccles, and Watford, we provide a supportive atmosphere where your contributions directly impact our success and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying / Category Manager - Grocery
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Booker, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Booker!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying / Category Manager - Grocery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Booker, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Booker and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Booker that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Booker
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
