Commercial Category Manager - Wine and Spirits in Manchester

Employer: Co-op Group

Location: Manchester City Centre

Pay: Up to £55,000 dependent on experience, plus great benefits.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Closing Date: 17/07/2026

About this job

We are looking for a Category Manager to join us at Co-op; our Wine and Spirits category is one of the most exciting places to be. With strong customer interest and external visibility, this is your chance to shape a category that plays a big role in how customers experience Co-op Food. If you love spotting trends, building compelling ranges and creating propositions that genuinely connect with customers, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact here.

As a Commercial Category Manager for Wine and Spirits, you’ll help shape the direction of a high‑profile category, from the products we range to how we price and promote them. You’ll turn customer insight, performance data and market trends into clear trading decisions that strengthen our offer and keep us competitive. Working closely with senior partners, suppliers and commercial teams, you’ll influence decisions that help us create a Wine and Spirits range customers trust and come back to, balancing quality, value and excitement in a fast‑moving retail environment.

What you’ll do

• Build strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers and channel partners to drive performance across the Wine and Spirits category
• Stay close to the market, spotting emerging trends, understanding customer tastes and identifying opportunities to evolve our range
• Use data and insight to shape clear commercial recommendations across range, pricing and promotions
• Support the development of category strategy and translate it into practical, customer‑led trading plans
• Work with the Senior Category Manager to review performance, highlight risks and opportunities and shape future plans
• Play a key role in developing and launching own‑label wines and spirits, and creating promotions that resonate with our customers
• Brief colleagues on cost, margin and promotional plans
• Support forecasting and budgeting, keeping a close eye on key performance drivers

What you’ll bring

• Experience working with wine and an understanding of this category (including duty)
• The ability to turn customer insight, sales data and market trends into clear, commercially sound decisions
• Strong commercial awareness, with an understanding of pricing, cost and volume levers
• Experience using tools such as MicroStrategy, Circana, Excel and PowerPoint
• Confidence influencing colleagues and partners at all levels with clear, well‑reasoned recommendations
• A good understanding of GSCOP and how to apply it day to day
• A real passion for or interest in wine

Why Co‑op?

• Annual bonus based on personal and business performance
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• 10% pension contribution, with an option to increase
• Subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ) and a 30% discount on Co‑op products
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice – 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme

We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work. We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.