**Lead Food Category Strategist**
We are seeking a seasoned food buyer to lead our category strategy, drive commercial planning, and deliver market-leading product offers across own brand and branded ranges.
This pivotal role will shape long-term revenue, value, and margin growth across our diverse food portfolio.
Job Description:
* Develop and execute long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives across revenue, margin, quality, and market share.
* Create and lead annual buying plans, setting targets and budgets across your food category portfolio.
* Lead the commercial planning process, overseeing the development of own brand and branded ranges that reflect customer needs and brand positioning.
* Ensure consistency and profitability across all category decisions.
* Implement structured, repeatable processes and frameworks to drive high-quality commercial outcomes.
* Support delivery of group-wide commercial programmes through cross-functional collaboration.
* Build strong long-term partnerships through joint business planning and strategic supplier relationships.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
* 3+ years in a senior buying or trading role within FMCG, retail, or wholesale, with a proven record of category growth and commercial delivery.
* Demonstrated experience leading commercial teams and managing multiple commercial projects.
* Extensive supplier negotiation expertise and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
* Commercially strategic with strong analytical thinking and planning ability.
* Highly organized, deadline-driven and numerate with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
Benefits:
* Generous salary package including bonus.
* Pension scheme.
* Life assurance.
* Hybrid/agile working arrangements.
* Flexible working hours.