Senior Category Manager

Develop and deliver the category strategy driven by customer insight to create category plans that deliver a proposition that meets the evolving customer needs, delivers growth vs. the market ultimately delivering the food business P&L. Working collaboratively across customer development team, co-op brand, price & promotions to ensure we have a customer focused proposition. 

As the leader of their buying categories, you will set the vision for the medium-term strategy of your categories, co-operating to deliver alignment of activity across the cross-functional team. 

Accountable for the delivery of the food business P&L 

• Responsible for strategic delivery of the category strategy delivering against both customer metrics & the food business P&L 
• Engage and co-operate with stakeholders across Own Brand, Quality, Range, Price & Promotion proposition teams enabling clarity of workflow and deliverables cross functionally across TCG, FRTS & QComm Food Teams. 
• Plans, co-ordinates and prioritises work within their team, ensuring the right capabilities are in place to deliver effectively now and in the future, and responding to change that impacts on their area of responsibility.
• Empowers and enables their immediate team to deliver by setting clear decision-making parameters, providing resources and guidance to support them
• As an individual contributor, provides thought leadership to help shape future category strategies and has a clear plan for growth in line with evolving trends & consumer demands.
• Creates a Co-op culture of inclusivity which allows colleagues to be themselves always, where everyone can reach their potential.
• Collaborates with peers to deliver great work that enables the food business to succeed. 
•  Co-operates with cross functional teams and SMEs to get to the best outcome for the Co-op in their work.
• Obsessed with the Co-op customer understanding what the customers of their category need today and in the future 
• Maintain a robust understanding of legal, regulatory & compliance requirements including GSCOP
• Develop a competent understanding of relevant business processes & procedures
• Ensure timely completion of any mandatory training individually and embed across the team 

• Forging Relationships (INTERMEDIATE) – I take action to build and nurture trusted relationships, in order to understand, support and guide others at all times 
• Inspirational Communicator (INTERMEDIATE) - I communicate in a clear, concise, appropriate, memorable and inspirational manner that engages others and encourages them to trust me. I listen to others first to understand
• Future Focus (INTERMEDIATE) – I am inquisitive and drive my team to show that broad business insight, linked to future focused strategies, lead to food business success, growth and increased opportunities for Co-op, our members and the local communities
• Customer & Member Focus – I understand the importance of our Co-op Customers & Members, acknowledging the critical role I play in Customer & Member satisfaction

• Ability to build strong working relationships with key contacts/stakeholders across the organisation
• Inspirational communicator with an ability to inspire a team to deliver the food P&L through clear deliverables and the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders
• Appropriate knowledge and experience within food retail 
• Listens to others and acts as a voice of the customer  
• Be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things 
• Strong financial acumen 
• Ability to thrive in fast paced retail environment

Core Skills:

1. Stakeholder Management
2. Communication
3. Influencing
4. Commerciality
5. Customer Focus/Service Delivery
6. Creativity
7. Resilience
8. Adaptability
9. Analytical thinking
10. Strategic thinking