Co-op
Senior Category Manager
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Senior Category Manager
Senior Category Manager
London, with hybrid working flexibility (2-3 days/time per week in Manchester city centre)
£60,000 – £75,000 p.a. + company car + comprehensive benefits (Work Level 5) 12-month fixed-term contract
About the Role
We’re seeking a Senior Category Manager to join Co-op and drive forward our customer-focused strategy. This influencinal role is key to shaping our future product offerings, ensuring they’re aligned with customer needs while delivering business growth.
As part of the Heads of Trading and Commercial team, you’ll drive category strategy, lead cross-functional collaboration, and shape operational excellence—playing a pivotal role in our food business performance.
What You’ll Do
You’ll be responsible for:
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Lead Commerce & Customer-Driven Strategy
- Shape and deliver customer-centric category plans that balance commercial viability with operational execution
- Align these strategies with the broader Customer Development team vision
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Manage categories holistically
- Own the financial performance of categories (contributing to the Food business P&L)
- Develop and execute category KPIs and budgetary goals
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People Leadership
- Mentor, develop, and manage a team of 5–6 category managers and assistants
- Foster a collaborative culture while ensuring projects stay on track
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Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Co-op Brand, Price & Promotions, Range & Format, and Operations teams
- Ensure promotions, range events, and activations adhere to critical timelines
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Champion Change & Growth
- Drive operational efficiency and market-leading propositions
- Translate customer insight into actionable strategies
What You’ll Bring
We keep our criteria focused and inclusive. To succeed in this role, you’ll have:
- Proven people leadership – experience in managing and developing teams effectively
- Retail/FMCG/customer-centric experience – background in category management, buying, or account leadership (supplier/sales/buyer experiences encouraged)
- Commercial acumen – expertise in managing complex relationships and delivering budgetary outcomes
- Customer obsession – ability to analyse behaviour and translate insights into compelling propositions
- Macro/strategic mindset – ability to see the bigger picture while managing granular detail in execution
Why Join Co-op?
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Because we’re owned by our members, we prioritize people and communities first. Here’s what you gain:
Financial & Reward Benefits
- Annual performance-based bonus
- £60K–£75K base salary + company car
Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 days with tenure), plus bank holidays
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Private healthcare
- Co-op member discounts (30% off Co-op products, 10% off other brands)
- Stream access – early access to earnings
- Virtual healthcare (GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition & fitness coaching)
- 24/7 colleague support
Development & Growth
- Training & career support – opportunities to grow within the organisation
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Onsite gym at Manchester HQ
Belonging & Inclusion
We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and actively seek to build diverse, inclusive teams. We’ll support you with any adjustments needed during and after recruitment.
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