Job Title

Category Controller – Foodservice & ConvenienceAre you ready to take ownership of a multi-million-pound category and shape the commercial direction of a leading international retailer?Can you confidently influence internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver results that drive growth, margin, and customer value?Do you have the strategic mindset and hands-on drive to lead trading initiatives from concept to execution in a fast-paced retail environment?MB are partnering with an international retailing business or global retail business. Looking for a Category Controller. This is a perm role, on site based in Stoke-on-Trent.Join a dynamic, international retail organisation as a Category Controller, where you’ll play a central role in shaping the commercial offer across a diverse catering customer base. This is a high-impact leadership position, driving growth and innovation through data-led strategy, supplier engagement, and agile trading practices.Key Responsibilities:Define and execute a compelling commercial strategy for the catering channel, optimising the customer offer across product range, pricing architecture, and promotions.Deliver sales, margin, and stock performance targets by managing range development, product lifecycle, allocation and pre-sell initiatives.Collaborate with the Promotions team to ensure market-leading activity in both Symbol and Retail Club formats, while continuously reviewing pricing and promotional impact against competitors.Act as the key link between internal stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring the smooth rollout of trading projects and timely execution of agreed initiatives.Define and manage core convenience and alcohol product assortments, ensuring alignment with shopper missions and customer needs.Identify and prioritise key supplier relationships to unlock additional investment, while measuring and recording incremental contributions tied to commercial initiatives.Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to bring plans to life across channels – from digital and in-store to promotional marketing.Stay close to EPOS insights, customer feedback, and broader market trends to ensure the offer remains relevant and competitive.Become the central contact for all trading projects within the Symbol retail channel, providing strategic guidance and coordination across teams.What We’re Looking For:Deep understanding of the FMCG, retail, or wholesale sector – ideally with a strong background in category or commercial management.Ability to create and deliver a long-term commercial roadmap while adapting quickly to emerging customer and market trends.Skilled at identifying margin opportunities, negotiating supplier support, and delivering against commercial KPIs.Natural relationship builder who thrives in cross-functional environments and can influence change across a complex organisation.Confident and clear communicator – able to influence senior stakeholders and suppliers, both verbally and in writing.Comfortable with numbers, data interpretation and performance measurement to inform decision-making.A hands-on problem-solver with a positive, can-do mindset. Constantly seeks improvement and thrives on taking ownership of delivery.Trusted leader who operates with discretion, ethical standards, and a deep respect for confidentiality and team alignment.Salary: £110k plus benefits. For more information, please contact Alice Redmond today.