[ref. y098616] England - Category Manager
Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑
Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.
With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.
We have a new opportunity for a Category Manager to join our growing Commercial teams across Europe on a permanent basis.
As Category Manager, you'll play a central role in driving category growth and enhancing product performance. You'll work closely with key customers to develop and implement innovative strategies that support our ambitious growth plans, whilst becoming a subject matter expert on all products within your category.As a trusted business partner, your expertise will be essential in supporting Westfalia Fruit's commercial growth objectives in 2025 and beyond. Domestic and international travel will be required to support customer and business operations across Europe, so a willingness to travel is essential.
We are open to the successful candidate being based within a commutable distance to one of our offices in either the UK, France, the Netherlands or Germany.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and lead the category vision for the avocado and value-added product lines across key European growth markets.
- Lead the development of the short and long-term category agenda in alignment with Westfalia’s growth plans, ensuring its execution with customers.
- Translate category insights into actionable recommendations for customers, helping drive category growth through assortment optimisation, shelving strategies, and promotional effectiveness.
- Present category strategies and business reviews to customers, demonstrating growth possibilities for both the category and Westfalia products.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure the alignment of category initiatives with overall business objectives.
- Lead the category development agenda for innovation projects, working with cross-functional teams to introduce new products and improve category offerings.
- Set the agenda for category growth, ensuring the flawless execution of category projects in collaboration with sales and commercial teams.
- Develop customer-specific planograms and assortment strategies, working closely with space management teams.
Requirements
Essential- A strong background in category management or a related function.
- Previous experience of working within the fresh produce industry, responsible for fruit or vegetables or dry grocery items.
- Proficiency in English and at least one other European language (Dutch, French or German).
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with an in-depth understanding of shopper insights, customer knowledge, and category drivers.
- Experience of managing multi-functional projects and influencing stakeholders at various levels of the organisation.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with strong customer-facing experience.
- Expertise in using MS Office, Nielsen and customer portals for data analysis and insight generation.
- A degree in Applied Economics, Marketing or related fields is advantageous (but not essential)
- Experience of working across multiple European markets, understanding regional market dynamics.
- Ability to manage large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects, demonstrating creativity and flexibility in problem-solving.
- We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that will vary by location. Full details will be shared as part of the interview process.
Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we review applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.
We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.