Key Trader – Food
We are seeking a skilled Commercial Leader to drive category strategy, commercial planning, and deliver market-leading product offers across own brand and branded ranges.
This role is pivotal to shaping long-term revenue, value, and margin growth across a diverse food portfolio. As a Senior Category Manager, you will be responsible for leading the development of annual buying plans, setting targets and budgets across your food category portfolio.
The Key Responsibilities:
* 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
* Engage with retail partners through store visits, forums, and advisory councils to gather insight and build alignment
* Manage and develop a high-performing category team, ensuring capability, resources and support are in place to achieve targets
Requirements:
* 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 organised, deadline-driven and numerate with the ability to translate data into actionable insights