Category Buying Manager (Chilled & Fresh) 2025

Job Description

Category Buying Manager (Chilled & Fresh)
Location: Head Office, Deeside
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

At Iceland, we’ve built our reputation on being the leaders in frozen food for over 50 years, but did you know we’re also at the forefront of innovation in chilled and ambient categories?

Our success isn’t just built on award-winning products and services; it’s driven by the incredible way we treat our employees.

We are now looking for an ambitious Category Buying Manager (Chilled & Fresh) to join our team at our Head Office in Deeside. In this role, you’ll have the freedom and autonomy to succeed, driving forward the category strategy to maximize sales, improve margins, and maintain Iceland’s strong competitive edge.

Category Buying Manager Role Overview:

As Category Buying Manager, you’ll lead the development of our Chilled & Fresh categories, forging strong relationships with suppliers and implementing strategic initiatives. Your ability to influence senior leaders and be a role model for your team is key to ensuring Iceland stays ahead of retail trends, consumer demands, and competitor activities.

You will be responsible for reviewing suppliers, negotiating trading terms, and introducing new sources. With your extensive buying experience, you will manage supply chains, ensure product availability, and oversee the continuity of product lines, all while maintaining a distinct point of difference for Iceland’s product range.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy Implementation: Drive category strategy for Chilled & Fresh products, ensuring we meet customer demands and exceed sales expectations.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and nurture strong relationships with key suppliers, driving successful negotiations and ensuring high-quality product offerings.
• Supply Chain Oversight: Oversee the entire supply chain, ensuring product availability, continuity, and that the right products are in place at the right time.
• Market Awareness: Stay ahead of retail trends, competitor movements, and consumer behavior to ensure Iceland’s product offerings remain competitive.
• Team Leadership: Lead by example, mentoring and guiding your team to deliver outstanding results, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Profit and Margin Management: Maximize sales while improving margins, ensuring all category goals are met in line with company objectives.
• Supplier Review and Sourcing: Conduct regular reviews of current suppliers and introduce new sources to enhance product offerings.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven Buying Experience: A strong track record in category buying, particularly in the food retail sector, is essential for this role.
• Supplier Management Skills: Experience in reviewing suppliers, negotiating terms, and driving product continuity and availability.
• Retail Experience: A deep understanding of the retail landscape, including an ability to anticipate and react to market trends.
• Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and mentor team members.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to implement strategies that improve sales, margins, and overall category performance.

Why Iceland?

At Iceland, we believe in more than just running a business—we’re building a family. We foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. As one of the fastest-growing and most innovative food retailers, we are committed to continuous improvement and delivering the best for our customers.

With over 30,000 colleagues globally, we encourage every team member to take ownership of their work and celebrate successes together. We support you in your career growth and give you the tools and autonomy to succeed.

Our Core Values:

• Teamwork: We collaborate to achieve shared goals, celebrating each other’s successes.
• Integrity: We act with transparency, honesty, and fairness in all our actions.
• Innovation: We embrace new technologies and push boundaries to stay ahead of the competition.
• Customer Focus: We always prioritize our customers, aiming to exceed their expectations.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: A highly competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package.
• Generous Leave Entitlement: 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays.
• Discounts: 15% store discount, 30% off at Club Individual restaurants.
• Onsite Amenities: Free parking, highly subsidized onsite restaurant with a Michelin Star Chef, and subsidized Costa Coffee.
• Health & Wellbeing: Discounted gym membership.
• Career Development: Educational sponsorship and industry-leading training programs.
• Reward & Recognition: Long service awards and charity fundraising events.

Your Career at Iceland:

We’re committed to helping you grow and succeed in your career. At Iceland, you’ll have the opportunity to develop new skills, gain hands-on experience, and access mentoring and top-tier training. Whether you’re pursuing certifications, attending workshops, or learning new technologies, we’re here to help you reach your career goals.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re an experienced, motivated individual with a passion for the food retail sector and want to contribute to Iceland’s continued success, we’d love to hear from you. Join us at Iceland and help shape the future of food retail while advancing your career.

How to Apply:

To apply, submit your CV and join our team today. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how you can help us continue to make great things happen!