At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape category strategy and drive performance in Beers, Wines & Spirits.
- Company: Leading UK consumer retail business with a dynamic drinks portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £90,000 plus bonus and collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities for professional growth and stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Influence a major drinks portfolio and build strong supplier partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management within the drinks industry and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
Senior Category Lead – Beers, Wines & Spirits
- Are you a commercially minded category professional with a strong background in Beers, Wines & Spirits?
- Do you enjoy shaping category strategy, building supplier partnerships, and using insight to drive commercial performance?
- Looking for an opportunity to influence one of the UK's largest and most dynamic drinks portfolios?
MacGregor Black are partnering with a leading UK consumer Retail business on the search for a Senior Category Lead – Beers, Wines & Spirits.
This is a permanent (Office based) role based in London.
This is a high-impact commercial role within an established category function, offering the opportunity to shape strategy across a sizeable BWS portfolio. Working closely with both internal stakeholders and leading drinks suppliers, you'll be responsible for driving category performance, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering long-term commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute category strategies that deliver sustainable sales and margin growth.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with key supplier partners and negotiate mutually beneficial commercial agreements.
- Lead range reviews, pricing strategy, promotional planning and category development initiatives.
- Analyse market trends, customer behaviour and commercial performance to identify opportunities for growth.
- Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance teams to deliver category objectives.
- Monitor competitor activity and evolving consumer trends to ensure the category remains competitive.
- Present category recommendations backed by robust data and commercial insight.
- Support the ongoing evolution of category strategy and supplier performance across the portfolio.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience in Category Management, Buying or Commercial roles within the drinks industry.
- Strong knowledge of the Beers, Wines & Spirits category.
- Experience leading supplier negotiations and developing strategic commercial partnerships.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn insight into action.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercially astute with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Salary & Benefits
- Base salary up to £90,000
- Bonus
Category Lead employer: MacGregor Black
MacGregor Black is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work environment in our Newcastle & Leeds offices. We prioritise employee growth through tailored development programmes and a meritocratic bonus structure, ensuring that your hard work is recognised and rewarded. Join us to become an expert in the recruitment industry while enjoying significant benefits and a supportive culture that fosters long-term career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like MacGregor Black, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like MacGregor Black!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at MacGregor Black, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at MacGregor Black and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show MacGregor Black that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
