Quest Search and Selection
Category Manager - Impulse (contract)

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Category Manager - Impulse (contract)
Quest Search & Selection are looking for a Category Manager - Impulse (contract) who will be working closely with senior stakeholders. You will develop and implement category strategies that drive commercial performance and deliver value across the business. You will be responsible for optimising supplier relationships, costs, and trading terms, while ensuring customer needs, product availability and profitability remain at the forefront.
This business is a leading B2B supplier & retailer. Here you will be part of a large international organisation with a highly influential marketing power with sustainable and progressive financial results.
Responsibilities
In this position your responsibilities as a Category Manager - Impulse (contract) include:
- Lead the development and delivery of category & buying strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Manage product ranges, supplier relationships, negotiations and commercial agreements to maximise profitability and value.
- Own trading budgets, monitor performance and deliver agreed income, cost and margin targets.
- Identify market trends, commercial opportunities and risks, implementing solutions to improve performance.
- Develop promotional plans and ensure strong product availability and competitive customer offerings.
- Act as a key escalation point for supplier, product and trading issues.
- Lead and develop junior team members through coaching, support and regular feedback.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements
To be successful in this Category Manager - Impulse (contract) position you must have:
- Ideally having Retail or FMCG buying, trading or commercial experience, ideally within category management.
- Retail Buying experience within supermarkets, high street retail, food/FMCG, contract catering or hospitality is highly desirable.
- Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management experience.
- Experience managing product ranges, budgets and commercial targets.
- Strong analytical, reporting and decision-making skills.
- Confident working with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Proven project delivery and people management experience.
- Desirable: Retail/wholesale experience, trading strategy, promotional planning and stock management.


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Benefits
The benefits on this Category Manager - Impulse (contract) position include:
- Need to be open to a 7 month contract - there is potential of going perm but not guaranteed
- 10% Bonus potential pto-rata
- Hybrid working (2 days WIO) with occasional travel
- Private healthcare
- 25 days holiday
- Free Gym
- Strong pension contribution
- Learning & Development opportunities
If you feel that this opportunity sounds like you and you have the experience for Category Manager - Impulse (contract), please apply.
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