Lead Category Manager

We are looking to recruit a permanent Lead Category Manager role which will be based out of our Wellingborough office. Within this role you will maximise the profitability of specified product categories, improving customer satisfaction, and cash profit. The role of a Lead Category Manager is to develop a high performing category team, using effective leadership, communication, engagement , whilst maintaining and improving the Growth of Own Brand business.

• Development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of sales, margin and profit are met whilst maintaining continuity of product availability.
• Developing strategic plans for the categories and working with the team to deliver these.
• Leadership of the category team, manage performance, encouraging team development and supporting Booker in 'Making Everyone Welcome' and A Place to Get On'.
• Supporting the development of colleagues within your team to enable them to reach their potential.
• Growth of own brand business, sourcing as appropriate to grow sales and margins.
• Annual negotiation with suppliers to ensure competitive terms year on year and coaching team where appropriate.
• Seeking and reacting to customer feedback at every opportunity, shaping the category plan, whilst linking to the sell plan and customer satisfaction.
• Communicating category plans and objectives for relevant product categories, ensuring understanding and buy-in is achieved from stakeholders.
• Working as part of the senior team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working.
• Working with Finance on forecasting for relevant categories.
• Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence championing diversity and inclusion.
  
  Exceptional communication & stakeholder management.
• Be able to work independently, to problem solve and make commercial decisions.
• Attention to detail, writing of reports, interpreting data and keeping of accurate records.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant markets and market developments.
• Ability to flex work approach., Extensive experience in working in FMG and heading up a buying team.
• Have a proven record of working autonomously.
• Have previous experience of category management.