At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and development, driving profitability and team performance.
- Company: Join a thriving FMCG business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, pension, private medical, and life assurance.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth in a £4.5bn+ diversified group.
- Why this job: Shape the Own Brand proposition and make a real commercial impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in Food Retail or FMCG with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Trading, Buying or Category leader looking for a senior role where you can genuinely influence strategy, profitability and customer proposition? We’re looking for a commercially driven Category Controller to lead an established category team, with a particular focus on Own Brand development, trading performance and category strategy. This is a high-profile leadership opportunity within a large, successful and growing FMCG business, offering significant scope to shape the proposition and deliver meaningful commercial change.
The Role
- Leading Own Brand category strategy and development, ensuring a compelling customer proposition across quality, value and innovation.
- Owning P&L, budgets, margin and sales performance, driving profitable growth.
- Developing and executing strategic trading plans to deliver ambitious commercial targets.
- Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing category/trading team.
- Building and leveraging strong supplier relationships, including high-value commercial negotiations.
- Using data, customer insight and market trends to identify opportunities and drive better decisions.
- Working closely with Finance, Supply Chain and other functions to optimise margin, availability, quality and operational performance.
- Driving continuous improvement and delivering meaningful business step change.
About You
- We’re looking for a senior commercial leader with significant experience in Food Retail, FMCG, Wholesale, Buying, Trading or Category Management.
- Proven experience leading a trading/category team with significant commercial accountability.
- Strong P&L, margin and commercial management experience.
- A track record of negotiating high-impact deals and delivering improved profitability.
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to turn data into commercial action.
- Experience developing and leading teams in a complex, multi-functional environment.
- Strong understanding of merchandising, profitability, supply chain and customer proposition.
- Strategic thinking capability, with a proven record of delivering commercial transformation and step change.
- Excellent communication, influencing and senior stakeholder management skills.
What's on Offer?
- 30 days holiday including bank holidays
- Pension
- Private Medical
- Life Assurance
- Onsite parking
- Senior leadership position with significant commercial influence
- Genuine opportunity to shape and grow the Own Brand proposition
- Opportunity to lead and develop a talented category team
- A role with real ownership of P&L, strategy, margin and business transformation
- The backing and scale of a £4.5bn+ diversified group, operating across multiple sectors and international markets
- A collaborative, inclusive environment where different perspectives and backgrounds are valued
Ready for Your Next Challenge? If you’re an ambitious Category Controller, Trading Controller, Senior Buying Manager or Commercial Director ready to take ownership of a major Own Brand proposition and deliver significant commercial impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Category Controller in Hounslow 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Controller in Hounslow
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Category Controller at White Recruitment!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like White Recruitment or be willing to refer you for that Category Controller position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from White Recruitment who’s on the lookout for their next Category Controller star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Category Controller role at White Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller in Hounslow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at White Recruitment. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at White Recruitment
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at White Recruitment. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
