Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food

Quest Search & Selection is currently recruiting for a Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food on behalf of a successful multi-channel B2C consumer business.

In this role, you will support the delivery of sales, profit, and cash performance through effective stock management, product planning, store grading, and planogram strategies. Working closely with the merchandising and buying teams, you will maximise product availability, optimise stock allocation, and identify opportunities to drive sales and improve category performance. You will also provide regular feedback to the Category Manager on product quality, customer insights, in-store merchandising standards, and emerging trends, while helping to minimise markdown risk and maximise commercial returns.

Quest Search & Selection are proud to represent one of UK's leading seasonal retailers who have different sites across the UK.

Key Responsibilities of this Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food role:

• Supports retail growth strategy, partnering with Finance teams to manage sales, margin, and KPI delivery.
• Analyses data and market trends to inform category direction, range selection, and stock forecasting.
• Maintains product data, costs files, and implements planograms across categories.
• Leads end-to-end development of bespoke products, ensuring quality, margin, and timely delivery.
• Develops and executes promotional and seasonal strategies, including POS and digital activity.
• Drives commercial performance through trading analysis, forecasting, and stock optimisation.
• Supports store layout, space planning, and effective communication of range and promotions.
• Manages supplier relationships, tenders, and day-to-day coordination on range, delivery, and merchandising.
• Gathers customer insights to inform category improvements.
• Manage POS materials and merchandising planograms.
• Handling reporting and administrative duties, including admin-heavy cost file management.
• Supported pricing and product ranging activities.
• Produced and analysed reports, including best-seller performance reports.

Key Requirements of this Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food role:

• Ideally 3 plus years in FMCG or retail experience.
• Ideally worked in different categories within grocery
• Experience in supermarket, convenience retail or account management is essential
• Skilled in range architecture, planogram development, and space planning/analysis would be ideal
• Proven supplier management and buying experience.
• Good commercial awareness, including understanding of P&L, sales, and margin drivers.
• Flexible to travel to different sites 40% (car & driving license is essential).
• Able to balance customer, operational, and commercial priorities when developing strategies

Benefits of this Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food role:

• Life assurance.
• £6,500 car allowance
• 20% friends and family discount.
• Head office in Hertfordshire(1-2 days per week WIO)
• Free parking.
• Learning and development support.

If this sounds like you and you are keen to apply for this Junior Category Manager - CPG/Retail Food please apply