Category Manager; MRO, Indirects and Packaging

Overview

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 avocados and fresh produce - 365 days a year and across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avo experts and the supplier of choice to both retail and wholesale customers served from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America and Southern Africa.

We are looking for a European Category Manager to join our team in Europe on a permanent basis. The successful candidate can be located within commutable distance to one of the three offices:
Kings Hill or Spalding in the UK, or Munich, Germany. Please note we cannot hire this position outside of these areas due to workload.

As European Category Manager, you will drive category growth and enhance performance across all non-fruit categories. You will work closely with key customers, developing and implementing innovative strategies, act as a trusted advisor, build strong relationships, and identify growth opportunities. Domestic and international travel will be required to support customer and business operations across Europe.

• 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 execution with customers.
• Translate category insights into actionable recommendations for customers, driving category growth through assortment optimization, shelving strategies, and promotional effectiveness.
• Present category strategies and business reviews to customers, demonstrating growth possibilities for both the category and Westfalia products.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure 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.

• A strong background in category management or a related function.
• Experience in the fresh produce industry, responsible for fruit or vegetables, or dry grocery items.
• Proficiency in English; additional European languages are highly advantageous.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with an understanding of shopper insights, customer knowledge, and category drivers.
• Proven leadership abilities with experience managing multi-functional projects and influencing stakeholders at various levels.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with strong customer-facing experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Nielsen, and customer portals for data analysis and insight generation.

• Bachelor’s degree in applied economics, Marketing, or related fields; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience across multiple European markets and understanding of regional market dynamics.
• Industry experience in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with senior management engagement in internal and customer-facing contexts.
• Ability to manage large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects with creativity and flexibility in problem-solving.

• 25 days holiday, plus public holidays
• Pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Medicash healthcare plan

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran status, neurodiversity or disability status.