Category Manager – Fresh Seafood Job Cardiff area,Wales UK,Supply Chain/Logistics

Role Overview:

The Category Manager is responsible for leading the commercial strategy, sourcing, and development of the Fresh category across the Bidfresh group. Reporting to the Buying Director, this role focuses on building profitable, sustainable business growth through strategic buying, supplier partnerships, and category development. The role combines strong commercial acumen with deep market knowledge, ensuring competitive supply, excellent product quality, and continuous innovation.

Key Responsibilities Category & Business Development:

Own and deliver the category strategy for Fresh Salmon, Seabass, Haddock, Cod, Hake and many other species, driving sales growth, margin, and market share.
Identify and develop new business opportunities, products, and routes to market, including foreign travel as required.
Analyse market trends, pricing, and customer demand to inform commercial decisions

Buying & Supplier Management:

Lead commercial negotiations, contracts, and pricing structures
Build long-term strategic supplier relationships focused on quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
Manage seasonal supply challenges and mitigate risk through effective planning

Commercial Performance:

Deliver agreed sales, margin, availability, volume and range increase targets.
Monitor KPIs including waste, yield, forecast accuracy, and service levels
Work closely with supply chain and operations to optimise freshness and stock flow

Quality, Compliance & Sustainability:

Ensure compliance with food safety, traceability, and regulatory requirements
Support responsible sourcing and sustainability initiatives (e.g. ASC, MSC, MCS)
Resolve quality or supply issues quickly and effectively

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner with sales, technical, logistics, and marketing teams
Support customer-facing teams with market insight and product expertise
Coach and mentor junior team member where applicable

Skills & Experience Essential:

Proven experience as a Category Manager or Senior Buyer within Fresh Seafood
Strong knowledge of Fresh Salmon, Fresh Haddock and Fresh Seabass markets, preference would be to bring extensive knowledge of several species.
Demonstrated success in building and developing profitable categories
Strong commercial, analytical, and negotiation skills
People management skills.

Desirable:

Experience across food service, Production and/or wholesale channels
Knowledge of global seafood supply chains and sustainability standards

Personal Attributes

Commercially driven and results-focused
Confident decision-maker
Strong relationship builder
Adaptable in a fast-moving fresh food environment