At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a key grocery category, driving performance and supplier strategy.
- Company: Fast-growing UK food retailer with a dynamic work environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and clear progression opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-paced, results-driven environment with opportunities for innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role within a major retailer.
- Qualifications: Experience in grocery categories and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 110000 € per year.
We are working with a well-established and fast-growing UK food retailer looking to appoint a Category Buying Manager to take ownership of a key grocery category. This is a highly commercial, fast-paced role suited to buyers who thrive on trading, decision-making and delivering results. You will have full ownership of your category, driving performance across pricing, promotions, range and supplier strategy.
The Role
- As Category Buying Manager, you will take full ownership of a high-profile ambient grocery category (e.g. confectionery, soft drinks, biscuits, pet food), responsible for driving commercial performance, supplier strategy and product development.
- This is a senior, hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment and is comfortable operating with both strategic oversight and day-to-day trading responsibility.
- You will work cross-functionally with commercial, supply chain and technical teams, while building and managing strong supplier partnerships to deliver category growth.
Category Buying Manager Responsibilities:
- Own the end-to-end performance of a key ambient grocery category
- Develop and deliver category strategy aligned to business objectives
- Lead supplier negotiations and manage key commercial partnerships
- Drive pricing, margin and promotional strategy in a fast-paced environment
- Oversee range planning, NPD and product lifecycle management
- Analyse category performance and react quickly to trading opportunities
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure effective execution
- Identify opportunities for growth, innovation and efficiency
Category Buying Manager Benefits:
- Salary ranging from £40,000 - £110,000 depending on experience
- Performance-related bonus
- Opportunity to own and shape a key category within a major retailer
- High-impact role with strong visibility across the business
- Fast-paced, commercially driven environment
- Clear progression opportunities depending on level
Category Buying Manager Requirements:
- This role would suit someone who:
- Has strong experience within true grocery / ambient categories (e.g. confectionery, soft drinks, biscuits, pet food)
- Has operated at Buyer, Senior Buyer, Buying Manager or similar level
- Demonstrates strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability
- Has experience managing supplier relationships at scale
- Is confident owning category performance, including P&L
- Has worked within high-volume UK food retail environments
- Thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven, trading-led setting
Desirable:
- Experience within high-volume, price-driven retail environments
- Strong background in promotional planning and pricing strategy
- Exposure to NPD and product innovation
- Experience managing or mentoring junior team members
To Be Considered:
Please either apply by clicking online or emailing directly. For further information, call.
By applying for this role, you give express consent for us to process & submit (subject to required skills) your application to our client in conjunction with this vacancy only.
Key Skills: Category Manager, Buying Manager, Senior Buyer, Grocery Buying, Retail Buying, FMCG, Supplier Negotiation, Category Strategy, Commercial, P&L, NPD, Food Retail, Ambient Grocery, Confectionery, Soft Drinks.
Category Buying Manager in Birkenhead employer: Hirecracker
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding UK food retailer as a Category Buying Manager, where you will have the opportunity to shape and drive a key grocery category in a fast-paced environment. With a competitive salary range of £40,000 - £110,000 plus performance-related bonuses, this role offers clear progression opportunities and the chance to work collaboratively across teams while managing significant supplier partnerships. Embrace a culture that values innovation, results, and personal growth, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buying Manager in Birkenhead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Show us you know your stuff about the grocery sector, especially in ambient categories like confectionery and soft drinks.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buying Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to drive supplier partnerships. Role-play scenarios with friends to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buying Manager in Birkenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Buying Manager role. Highlight your experience in grocery categories like confectionery and soft drinks, and showcase your commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this fast-paced role. Share specific examples of how you've driven category performance and managed supplier relationships in previous positions.
Showcase Your Results:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the results you've achieved. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you've positively impacted pricing, promotions, and overall category growth.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hirecracker
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the ambient grocery categories mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with current trends in confectionery and soft drinks, and be ready to discuss how you can drive performance in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful supplier negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight your commercial acumen and how your strategies have positively impacted P&L. This will demonstrate your capability to manage key commercial partnerships effectively.
✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Scenarios
Since this role thrives in a fast-paced environment, think of instances where you've had to react quickly to trading opportunities. Share how you managed to balance strategic oversight with day-to-day trading responsibilities.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Emphasise your experience working cross-functionally with teams like supply chain and technical departments. Prepare to discuss how you’ve built strong relationships with internal teams and suppliers to ensure effective execution of category strategies.
