Job Title: Category Development Manager

Location: Watford, WD24 7RY - Hybrid working

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent. Core hours of work for our business are Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00 (40 hours) however this can be done on a Hybrid basis with 2/3 days in the office per week.

About us:

Vegetarian Express specialise in delivering plant-based ingredients, ideas and inspiration to chefs across the UK for eating out of home. With the astronomical rise in popularity of plant-based, vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets, we are uniquely placed in Foodservice to meet with this demand, and as such are rapidly growing and expanding.

Nationally we supply more than 4,000 skilled chefs from customers such as Compass, Baxterstorey and CH&Co, as well as a ton of independent operators and events such as Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium to name just a few.

We work with customers to create plant-based menus that are enticing, better for consumers health, the planet and commercially for businesses.

Vegetarian Express are proud to be a certified B Corporation. This means they are part of a growing number of progressive businesses around the world that truly believe in the power of business to do good things and, more importantly, are doing something about it.

We're looking for a strong Category Development Manager for this lynch pin role in our growing business. You will be reporting to the Marketing & Category Director and working closely with purchasing and technical to drive forward our plant-based product category.

You will:

• Play a key role between technical, purchasing, supply chain, sales and marketing teams with extensive internal and external stakeholder management required. This role requires excellent communication, a track record of being able to influence at all levels and strong analytical skills.
• Be responsible for leading the Category function and delivering against key business objectives and targets.
• Manage the Product Gate process, which requires very strong project management and stakeholder management - ensuring cross-business functions adhere to strict processes in a timely manner. Through very clear communication with relevant stakeholders, you will ensure everyone is clear on workflow priorities and onboarding products as efficiently as possible.
• Lead the Product Innovation Manager and technical team ensuring business objectives and targets are met. You will manage often complex range management projects and will require buy-in and engagement from multiple functions across the business.
• Further develop the category data management processes and track and report category performance. You will analyse data to pin-point opportunities and ensure outputs are clearly communicated and guide future actions.
• Work with your team and the marketing team to ensure product information is appropriately briefed and agree activation plans for new product launches, range cross-sell and awareness and activation of key product areas.

Please note; Category management experience in Foodservice/ B2B sectors would be very advantageous, however solid category management experience is essential.

What do you need?

You are a dynamic, self-starter who works proactively, and has 4+ years' experience of leading a Category function, preferably within the food industry. You will bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, have exceptional project management skills, extensive stakeholder management experience, and can work at pace. You'll have excellent organisational skills, decision making and ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritise, influence and lead.

You will have previous line management experience, a proven track record of cross-function matrix management and will be adept at managing a complex range. You will be flexible and able to adapt based on evolving needs to the business.

You will be comfortable leading regular cross functional meetings, including senior stakeholders and will manage internal product gate processes to ensure that category activities and new product launches are delivered in line with business processes and on time.

What will differentiate you?

• Strong Category Development/ range management experience
• Experience of leading a team within a Category function
• Foodservice experience

In return what do we offer?

• Competitive basic salary
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays
• Option to purchase additional annual leave (up to 3 days)
• Cash health plan (money back for dentist, opticians, physio etc.)
• Life assurance (4 x salary)
• On-going training & development
• Staff discount on all products
• Pension
• Easy access to public transport and free parking
• We promote good physical and mental health and can provide additional support to our employees via our Employee Assistance Programme all year round

Candidates with experience of: Category Development Specialist, Stakeholder Management, Supplier Manager, Contract Information Management Specialist, may also be considered for this role.