Category Buying Manager - Grocery (Confectionery, Soft Drinks, Ambient)Salary: £40,000 - £110,000 + bonus Location: North West (Full-Time, Head Office Based) Employment: Full Time, PermanentWe are working with a well-established and fast-growing UK food retailer looking to appoint a Category Buying Manager to take ownership of a key grocery category.This is a highly commercial, fast-paced role suited to buyers who thrive on trading, decision-making and delivering results. You will have full ownership of your category, driving performance across pricing, promotions, range and supplier strategy.The RoleAs Category Buying Manager, you will take full ownership of a high-profile ambient grocery category (e.g. confectionery, soft drinks, biscuits, pet food), responsible for driving commercial performance, supplier strategy and product development.This is a senior, hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment and is comfortable operating with both strategic oversight and day-to-day trading responsibility.You will work cross-functionally with commercial, supply chain and technical teams, while building and managing strong supplier partnerships to deliver category growth.Category Buying Manager Responsibilities:Own the end-to-end performance of a key ambient grocery categoryDevelop and deliver category strategy aligned to business objectivesLead supplier negotiations and manage key commercial partnershipsDrive pricing, margin and promotional strategy in a fast-paced environmentOversee range planning, NPD and product lifecycle managementAnalyse category performance and react quickly to trading opportunitiesCollaborate with internal teams to ensure effective executionIdentify opportunities for growth, innovation and efficiencyCategory Buying Manager Benefits:Salary ranging from £40,000 - £110,000 depending on experiencePerformance-related bonusOpportunity to own and shape a key category within a major retailerHigh-impact role with strong visibility across the businessFast-paced, commercially driven environmentClear progression opportunities depending on levelCategory Buying Manager Requirements:This role would suit someone who:Has strong experience within true grocery / ambient categories (e.g. confectionery, soft drinks, biscuits, pet food)Has operated at Buyer, Senior Buyer, Buying Manager or similar levelDemonstrates strong commercial acumen and negotiation capabilityHas experience managing supplier relationships at scaleIs confident owning category performance, including P&LHas worked within high-volume UK food retail environmentsThrives in a fast-paced, results-driven, trading-led settingDesirable:Experience within high-volume, price-driven retail environmentsStrong background in promotional planning and pricing strategyExposure to NPD and product innovationExperience managing or mentoring junior team membersTo Be Considered:Please either apply by clicking online or emailing directly to . For further information, call 01244 739 301 or 07736 920 086.By applying for this role, you give express consent for us to process & submit (subject to required skills) your application to our client in conjunction with this vacancy only.Key Skills: Category Manager, Buying Manager, Senior Buyer, Grocery Buying, Retail Buying, FMCG, Supplier Negotiation, Category Strategy, Commercial, P&L, NPD, Food Retail, Ambient Grocery, Confectionery, Soft Drinks, Hirecracker, HCOperationsJBRP1_UKTJ