Category Controller

Category Controller

Full-Time 60750 - 74250 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
White Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented team to shape category strategy and drive commercial growth.
  • Company: Join a successful, family-owned multinational business with a diverse portfolio.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical cover, pension, and 30 days’ holiday.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career development and to build high-performing teams.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced trading environment with senior-level exposure.
  • Qualifications: Experience in food retail or FMCG, strong leadership and negotiation skills.

The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.

Salary: GBP80000 - GBP90000 per annum + Benefits package

Competitive salary, Private Medical, Pension, Life Assurance, 30 days’ holiday including bank holidays + option to buy more, Onsite parking.

Are you an experienced Category Controller, Trading Manager or Senior Commercial professional ready to take ownership of a high-impact category function? Join a large, successful, family-owned multinational business where you’ll have the opportunity to shape category strategy, build powerful supplier partnerships and deliver meaningful commercial growth.

The opportunity

You’ll lead and develop a talented team of Category Managers and Category Assistants, taking ownership of trading performance, profitability and category strategy. Working closely with senior stakeholders, Finance and suppliers, you’ll identify opportunities to improve performance, maximise margin and create a genuine competitive advantage.

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Owning P&L performance, budgets and commercial targets
  • Developing customer-focused category and sales strategies
  • Building and leveraging strong supplier relationships
  • Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing trading team
  • Driving margin, profitability and operational efficiency
  • Using data, customer insight and NPS to shape decisions
  • Overseeing supply chain performance, wastage, compliance and food safety
  • Working with Finance to turn commercial insight into action
  • Delivering strategic change and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for a commercially astute leader with significant experience in food retail, FMCG, buying or trading. You’ll have a strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders, negotiating commercially, interpreting data and delivering business improvement. You’ll also bring:

  • Proven leadership experience within a complex trading environment
  • Strong commercial and negotiation skills
  • Excellent understanding of merchandising, profitability and supply chain
  • Strategic thinking and a genuine appetite for driving change
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
  • A passion for developing people and building high-performing teams

This is an opportunity to join a well-established, growing international organisation with a diverse portfolio of businesses and a significant presence across the UK and internationally. You’ll enjoy real commercial ownership, senior-level exposure, career development opportunities and the chance to make a visible difference in a fast-moving trading environment.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive salary
  • Pension
  • Private medical cover
  • Life assurance
  • 22 days’ annual leave with the option to purchase additional days
  • Onsite parking

Category Controller employer: White Recruitment

Join a pioneering renewable energy company in Appleby-in-Westmorland, where your leadership as Operations Director will directly contribute to the UK's low-carbon heating transition. With a strong focus on employee development and a culture of continuous improvement, you will enjoy competitive benefits including a generous salary, car allowance, and significant influence over business strategy. This is not just a job; it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly growing sector dedicated to sustainability and innovation.

White Recruitment

Contact Details:

White Recruitment Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller

P&L Management
Budgeting
Commercial Strategy Development
Supplier Relationship Management
Team Leadership
Coaching and Development
Margin Improvement