At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by developing category strategies and analysing market trends.
- Company: Dynamic wholesale food business with a collaborative and ambitious culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible hours, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while enjoying career development opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or commercial roles, strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Category Manager – Wholesale Food Industry
- Category Manager
About the Role
Working closely with suppliers, sales, marketing, procurement, and operations, you will identify market trends, optimise product ranges, negotiate commercial opportunities, and ensure our categories remain competitive in a fast-paced wholesale environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced category professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on commercial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement category strategies that support business growth and profitability.
- Analyse sales data, market trends, customer insights, and competitor activity to identify opportunities.
- Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and lifecycle planning.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements and promotional plans.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins while delivering value to customers.
- Stay informed on industry trends, legislation, and consumer behaviour within the food sector.
About You
You’ll be commercially focused, data-driven, and confident influencing stakeholders across the business.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in a Category Manager, Category Executive, Buying, or Commercial role within the wholesale, foodservice, FMCG, or food manufacturing sector.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Excellent analytical skills with experience interpreting sales and market data.
- Strong knowledge of category management principles.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using reporting tools.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Desirable
- Experience working within the wholesale food industry.
- Knowledge of retail or foodservice market trends.
- Experience with category insight tools such as Nielsen, Circana, or similar.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Discretionary annual bonus of up to 10%.
- 22 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday.
- Private medical insurance.
- 3x annual salary life insurance.
- Flexible working hours to support work-life balance.
- Hybrid working with 1–2 days per week working from home.
- Free on-site parking.
- Opportunities for career development and professional growth.
- A collaborative, supportive, and ambitious working environment.
- Apply
If you’re passionate about category management, enjoy working with data to drive commercial decisions, and want to make a real impact within a successful wholesale food business, we’d love to hear from you
Category Manager in Dunnington employer: Interim Staffing
As a Recruitment Professional at our multinational family-owned business, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment that values collaboration and innovation. We offer excellent employee growth opportunities, a strong focus on work-life balance, and the chance to contribute to a company with an impressive annual turnover of over £4.5 billion. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises high-quality service and meaningful connections.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Dunnington
✨Get to Know the Industry Events
Dive into wholesale distribution trade shows and local industry meet-ups. These events are gold mines for networking and can even lead to job leads. Plus, getting face time with companies like Interim Staffing can make you stand out!
✨Connect with Industry Professionals
Join online forums and communities specific to wholesale distribution. Places like LinkedIn groups or industry-specific Slack channels can put you in touch with insiders who know about the latest job openings at companies like Interim Staffing before they even get posted.
✨Tailor Your Approach to Distribution Roles
When you apply for full-time roles, make sure your interactions highlight your understanding of supply chain management and logistics. Companies like Interim Staffing want to see that you get the bigger picture and can contribute to their efficiency!
✨Follow Up Like a Pro
After you've sent in your application, don't be shy! Follow up with a brief message to express your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows initiative but keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters at Interim Staffing.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Dunnington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Distribution Know-How:For a role in wholesale distribution, it’s crucial to highlight any experience you have with supply chain management or logistics. Make sure to detail any relevant projects or roles on your CV that show you understand how products move from point A to point B efficiently.
Quantify Your Achievements:When crafting your CV, don’t just list tasks; instead, focus on achievements that can be quantified. For example, mention how you increased delivery efficiency by a percentage or managed a specific number of vendors. Numbers stand out and prove you can make a difference at Interim Staffing.
Tailored Cover Letter Approach:In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about wholesale distribution and what excites you about the specific challenges at Interim Staffing. Show us you’ve done some research on the company, and mention any values or initiatives they have that resonate with you.
Highlight Team Collaboration Skills:Since wholesale distribution often requires working closely with teams, emphasise your teamwork skills in your application. Include examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues, suppliers, or stakeholders to improve operations or resolve issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Interim Staffing
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
In the wholesale distribution sector, being able to analyse market trends and inventory data is key. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled inventory management issues or implemented solutions that improved efficiency; this will show Interim Staffing that you can handle the analytical side of the role.
✨Know Your Logistics Inside Out
Since logistics play a massive part in wholesale distribution, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the tools and software used in the industry, like ERP systems or supply chain management platforms. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview to impress Interim Staffing.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that revolve around real-life situations in wholesale distribution, such as how you'd handle supply chain disruptions or manage relationships with suppliers. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies on these topics to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Long-Term Potential
As you're applying for a full-time role, Interim Staffing will want to see your commitment to growing within the organisation. Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals, emphasising that you are in it for the long haul!
