Category Manager

Category Manager – Fresh Produce

Remote with regular travel to Bicester

£Competitive, Company Car or Car Allowance + Great Benefits

Job Description

Fresh Direct is recruiting for a Category Manager – Fresh Produce to join the Merchandising team on a full-time, permanent basis, reporting into the Senior Category Manager

As the Category Manager – Fresh Produce, it is your responsibility to develop and deliver a category plan that supports range development and ensures the Fresh Direct Proposition is the best in the marketplace.  The role will include launching new products, activating promotions, supporting customer marketing activity, and supporting all seasonal range change communications.

The role will require you to deliver and evaluate category insight, take ownership of category presence in all customer and sales communications, including online to raise the profile of the category internally and externally. The role would suit a candidate with rounded commercial experience within a Head Office Retail, Foodservice or a blue-chip food manufacturer environment.

We are offering a remote contract with 1-2 days per month in our Bicester office so you will ideally be located in the Oxfordshire/Midlands areas. Flexibility will be needed for team and supplier meetings across the UK, so a full, clean driving licence is required.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Using customer, market & supplier insight, create an industry leading range to drive volume and margin growth.

• Own the seasonal range review (winter to summer & summer to winter)

• Manage range strategy for Brakes Fresh Produce Proposition, take ownership of category data ensuring all internal and external facing content is accurate, e.g. E-list, new product launches, discontinuations, marketing descriptions and website

• Review product performance & highlight areas for improvement

• Work with the marketing function to:
  • Develop an aligned customer engagement plan through promotions and and on-line activity
  • Provide product content for publications and on-line material Support colleague, particularly sales force, engagement with the Fresh Direct product

About you:

The successful candidate will be results-based with a demonstrated track record of applying financial, commercial or procurement skills to a range of business-related objectives, such as delivering cost savings or enhancing the quality of services provided to businesses. A high level of commercial ability is crucial for the role, combined with relevant commercial sourcing and / or category experience across a choice of categories and having experience of driving sales and margin. Ideally, you will have experience with customers and internal insight and data analytics to make fact-based decisions and create effective customer offerings. Be comfortable using consumer insights, competitive assessment, pricing, promotional planning, and financial analysis. You must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Excel, (VLOOKUP, Formula, Pivot Tables) and PowerPoint and beneficial to have experience of using Tableau.

What you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• Company car allowance
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Single private medical healthcare cover
• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days + bank holidays, with option to purchase additional holidays
• Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-wining products through our staff shop
• Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sysco benefits portal
• Recognition awards and Incentives
• Real career opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens a world of possibility

At Fresh Direct everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Fresh Direct and we recognise that Fresh Direct can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you. 

Fresh Direct

Built on a passion for food and feeding the nation, at Fresh Direct we are dedicated to making life as easy and efficient for the chefs, cooks and caterers we serve across the country. We are the leading specialist supplier of locally and globally sourced fresh produce and dairy across Great Britain, bringing the best of the seasons to chefs’ menus.