Head of Category

Base pay range: Up to £75,000 per annum

Location: Windsor, UK

Who are we?

We’re En Route. We’re a welcoming bunch, with a down‑to‑earth outlook that helps build lasting relationships with customers and colleagues alike.

As global specialists in passenger solutions, supply chain services and sourcing for airlines and airline caterers, we operate globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers.

En Route’s expertise is one of the many reasons why we’ve enjoyed more than 20 years as a global food solutions partner, with offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE.

Our Values

• Say it as it is
• Find a way
• Own it
• Represent the customer

We speak with honesty and clarity, sharing informed opinions based on our expertise. It’s how we build trust and spark meaningful conversations.

With a clear goal in sight, we’re energized by the challenge of uncovering bold, unconventional routes to get there.

Leadership lives in every role. With the autonomy, tools and guidance to act, we take initiative and make decisions that drive impact.

As an extension of their team, we champion their needs in everything we do.

Job Purpose

Reporting into the Category Development Director, the Head of Category will lead a team of food professionals to develop and deliver new and improved, innovative, high‑quality and differentiated products for the airline industry. Working in line with project RACI matrices, the Head of Category will ensure close alignment with cross‑functional category teams to develop ‘on time’, quality products that delight our customers whilst meeting commercial briefs and ensuring data‑led decision making is driving robust commercial outcomes whilst building and maintaining strong working relationships with a broad range of category suppliers. The Head of Category will be responsible for driving the performance and on‑going development of a team of food professionals ensuring they are meeting stretching objectives and driving individual and team success.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively keep abreast of customer strategy, insight and direction and broader airline sector trends.
• Spend time on strategic planning, scoping out & researching the project/category to determine clear outcomes.
• Stay close to the target customers and up to date with broader market dynamics, anticipating future customer needs for specific categories.
• Work collaboratively across En Route, ensuring all activities relating to the development of new products/existing products are well coordinated and that speed to market and commercial viability is optimised.
• Drive continuous improvement and quality mindset in all development projects.
• Ensure commercial value of projects is used as a differentiator for where the team focuses and energies.
• Benchmark & technical compliance to all standards.
• Ensure core processes across the team are clearly documented, regularly reviewed and used as part of all onboarding and training activities.
• Undertake business travel in line with business requirements.
• To undertake any other duties, which may from time to time be assigned.
• Work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders on assigned projects for efficient delivery of profitable product change appropriate for the relevant customer and category requirements.
• Communicate the strategy to the team, to maximise understanding, ensuring all team members have aligned individual performance goals.
• Role‑model the En Route values; providing timely, motivational feedback to others, encouraging them to demonstrate the values.
• Provide strategic category subject matter expertise to the wider global business.
• Conduct meaningful 1:1s and PDPs, taking a proactive interest in developing others to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to perform their roles with confidence and progress in their careers.
• Design and deliver authentic, high‑impact presentations that showcase both product and commercial acumen.
• Deputise for the Category Development Director as required.

Experience and Qualifications

• Previous product development experience within Manufacturing or Retail (Essential)
• Experience in launching major NPD/Brand projects (Essential)
• Proven track record of high quality, commercially successful product development & supplier management (Essential)
• Negotiating with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders (Essential)
• Leading and motivating a team of food development specialists (Desirable)
• Budget management (Desirable)
• Degree in Business, Retail Management, supply chain or economics (Desirable)

Key Skills

• Good analysis skills and capable of analysing sales & insight data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to balance the need for documented processes and SOPs with agile problem solving.
• An ability to tell meaningful stories that engage colleagues and suppliers in understanding our mission and values.
• Motivational leader.

Benefits

• Birthday day off.
• 25 days off a year.
• Company bonus scheme.
• Hybrid Working (4 days in office).
• Medical Insurance.
• Referral Scheme.
• Social Events.
• Flexi Time.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job function

Management and Product Management

Industries

Food and Beverage Services and Food and Beverage Retail