Commercial Category Manager – Manchester City Centre (Hybrid)
Up to £55,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 6A). The role is hybrid, splitting time between home and the office at least two to three times a week.
Why this job matters
As a Commercial Category Manager, you’ll steer the direction of your category – from product placement to pricing and promotion. Your insights will shape trading actions, strengthen competitiveness, and help deliver commercial goals.
You’ll work closely with senior partners and commercial teams to influence decisions, back recommendations with clear rationale, and create propositions that win with customers in a fast‑moving retail environment.
What you’ll do
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams and channel partners to drive category performance.
- Spend time in stores and out in the market to understand customer missions, behaviour and changing needs.
- Use data to inform clear commercial recommendations across range, pricing and promotions.
- Support development of category strategy and translate it into action for trading and commercial teams.
- Partner with the Senior Category Manager to review performance, highlight risks or opportunities, and shape customer‑led plans.
- Play a key role in launching new own‑label products and shaping promotional activity that resonates with customers.
- Brief commercial teams on cost, margin and promotional plans so decisions land effectively.
- Support forecasting and budgeting, keeping a close eye on performance drivers and risks.
What you’ll bring
- The ability to turn a mix of customer insight, sales data and market trends into clear commercial actions.
- Experience using tools such as MicroStrategy, Circana, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong commercial awareness, with an understanding of how pricing, cost and volume decisions drive performance.
- Confidence communicating with colleagues at all levels and influencing decisions with well‑reasoned recommendations.
- A solid understanding of GSCOP and how to apply it in day‑to‑day decisions.
Why Co‑op?
- An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance).
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays.
- A pension with up to 10% employer contributions.
- Access to a subsidised on‑site gym (at our Manchester HQ).
- 30% discount on Co‑op products and 10% off other brands.
- Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it.
- Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice.
- 24/7 colleague support service.
- Training and support for your development and career progression.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
A place you’ll belong
We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues feel they belong, supported by our inclusive policies.
We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.
Please note that we may close applications for this role early.
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