At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Dairy category by analysing trends and sourcing top-quality products.
- Company: Join Classic Fine Foods, a global leader in food sourcing and distribution.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, motivating bonus scheme, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant London location with a focus on health and safety.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the dairy industry while working with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FMCG supply chain, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for dairy.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd is a global food sourcing and distribution partner, connecting customers with carefully selected products from trusted producers worldwide.
While quality remains at the heart of everything we do, we are equally focused on delivering value, reliability, and innovation across all customer channels.
From everyday essentials to specialist ingredients, we help businesses source products that meet their commercial and culinary objectives.
Our team are dedicated to developing opportunities and delivering quality – both in the representation of our brands and delivering the best service to our customers, and remain the Premium Wholesaler of Choice.
About the Role
As a Dairy Category Manager within the Purchasing and Supply Chain team, you will develop the category by researching, analysing and forecasting current and future trends, identifying varied sources of products within - and without limitation -Milk, Cheese, Eggs, Cream and dairy free sub-categories.
Supported by a Senior Buyer and Junior buyer, you will be responsible for executing category strategy, order processing, forecasting, supplier relationships and data management of our Dairy range.
- Product and Supplier Management
- Research and analyse dairy market trends to forecast demand and identify growth opportunities.
- Source and evaluate new suppliers for Milk, Cheese, Eggs, Cream and dairy free sub-categories to expand product range.
- Drive new product development (NPD) initiatives and secure commercial opportunities for the category
- Deliver regular product training sessions to the sales team to enhance category knowledge.
- Establish Supplier Business Review calendar; official presentations with accurate commercial market data and CFF business reporting tools.
- Organise and spearhead supplier visits on and off site, in the UK and abroad.
- Devise and maintain supplier KPIs, for reporting to Head of Categories.
- Represent Classic Fine Foods Dairy category at Trade Fairs, Company Events and Conferences, in the UK and abroad.
- Collaborate with the Head of Categories and Operation Management to review stock holding, conduct and improve efficiencies.
- Formulate forecasts and monitor stock levels, ensuring maximum stock availability with minimum wastage.
- Effective at price negotiation, always be one step ahead, adjusting stock levels to needs of customer and business.
- Proven ability to pivot flexibly and efficiently to deliver tenders and business opportunities for large customer accounts.
- Maintain comprehensive market pricing reporting and margin analysis for the CFF Dairy range, for reporting to Commercial Director and Senior stakeholders.
- Process Management
- Coordinate delivery schedules with suppliers and internal departments.
- Ensure a high standard of data integrity and accuracy within the ERP system.
- Manage supplier price files calculating landed cost prices, product margins and general sales prices.
- Effective management of company stock holding in order to meet net working capital target.
- Ensure that all supplier invoices are authorised and passed to finance in a timely manner.
- Business Engagement
- Liaise with COMEX members on a monthly basis to run through monthly results and budget monitoring
- Engage with marketing manager to promote range and seasonality withing B2B website and for scheduled events.
- Working closely with the Quality Department to ensure that quality standards are upheld for all products.
- Demonstrate a high level of business growth mindset by presenting initiatives to senior management.
The Dairy Category Manager reports to the Head of Categories.
Requirements
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a FMCG supply chain / purchasing role with a comprehensive knowledge of the Dairy industry both locally and internationally
- UK and EU law on Dairy import regulations
- Organised with an excellent eye for detail, proven ability to handle large amounts of data to translate in to clear, specific instructions and targets
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- A dynamic individual with experience in dealing with multiple suppliers
- Able to build strong relationships, both externally and internally
- Demonstrate perseverance and resilience in the pursuit of goals
- Strong IT skills with experience using Excel, Power Point, Power Bi and ERP systems
- A can do attitude with a strength in problem solving
Health & Safety - Commitment to Safety
- Always set an example to the team on health and safety matters.
- Always take health and safety concerns of your team seriously, investigate fully and provide feedback.
manner.
CFF Behaviours
Behaviours that we expect from a manager in CFF.
- Decision making: is able to make choices or among alternative courses of action, is not afraid of making uncomfortable decision in the company interest.
- Team spirit: is acting in consideration with needs and interests of the group instead of his/her individual interests, contributing actively to a join result or solution to a problem, is always willing to lend a hand.
- Comply to rules: comply with the rules set up by the Company and by the work environment. Is reliable, able to be trusted to do right things, deserves imitation.
- Proactive: is able to come up with new ideas, original solutions for the business.
Always looking for improvement.
Self-starting rather than waiting passively to see what happens.
Position: Permanent
Must have: Right to work in the UK.
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Category Manager – Dairy in London employer: Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™
As an Assistant Transport Manager with us, you will be part of a dynamic and supportive work culture that values efficiency and compliance in our logistics operations across London. We offer excellent employee growth opportunities, including training and development for your career advancement, while being part of a rapidly expanding fleet operation that prioritises safety and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a role that not only challenges you but also rewards your contributions to our transport team's success.
Contact Details:
Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™ Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Dairy in London
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Category Manager – Dairy.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Dairy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™ and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Classic Fine Foods UK Ltd | B Corp™ might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
