Senior Category Manager
About our Merchandise Team
Things move quickly here at Foodies, and our Merchandise team is no exception. This is the team that connects the product to the customer – decisions around range, pricing, promotions, and how we show up on the shelf. From partnering with suppliers to digging into the data, we’re always striving to deliver better value and better experiences for our customers.
We're an ambitious bunch who value clarity, accountability and follow-through, and in a nutshell, would describe our culture as “work hard, have a laugh.” We’ve got some real momentum heading into the second half of 2026 and are looking for people passionate about shaping how we win and grow together.
Join us and feed the South.
About the role:
As a Senior Category Manager, you’ll own the strategy and performance of the Snacking categories, shaping how we deliver range, price and promotions for our South Island customers. You’ll use customer, market and commercial insights to make clear, well-judged decisions that drive category performance – balancing customer value, supplier outcomes and long-term business objectives.
Reporting to the Head of Business Grocery Food & Beverage, this is an impactful role within our Merchandise team, where you’ll lead both category performance and supplier partnerships across your portfolios. You’ll take the lead on complex commercial decisions and negotiations, bringing together different perspectives to land the right outcomes. You’ll also lead and coach a Category Manager, and a Category and Promotions Planner - setting clear expectations, building capability, and empowering them as they grow in their roles.
This role is based in Christchurch. If you’re currently elsewhere and thinking this could be a good excuse to make a move, great! We’re open to helping make a move happen for the right person.
Key accountabilities
- Own the strategy and performance of designated categories, delivering against range, price and promotional outcomes
- Lead customer-driven category plans aligned to banner strategy, balancing customer value and commercial performance
- Build and lead senior supplier partnerships, including complex negotiations and trade investment decisions
- Deliver category reviews and own joint business planning with key supplier partners
- Use data and insights to inform decisions and continuously improve category performance
- Work cross-functionally to align range, pricing, promotions and in-store execution
About you:
You’ll be an experienced category manager who knows how to build and maintain supplier relationships, including negotiation and commercial agreements. You’ll understand what drives category performance and know how to bring people and teams on the journey with you. Ideally, you’ll also bring:
- Experience in FMCG, ideally within category management or a similar commercial role
- Strong influencing skills, with the ability to navigate differing views and still land outcomes
- Experience using data and insights to inform decision-making and drive performance
- Strong planning and organisational capability, managing multiple moving parts without losing focus
- Experience leading or coaching others, with a focus on building capability and performance
Don't Meet Every Requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for individuals with diverse experiences and are keen to hear from those who believe they have the drive and potential to succeed in this role.
How to apply:
Ready to take on the challenge? Click “apply” to apply for the role! Applications will close 11:59pm Sunday 5 July 2026 and will only be accepted via our careers site.
Keen on joining the team but think this might not be the right role for you? We’re hiring for other roles within our merchandise team as well! Click below to check them out:
- Category Review Delivery Manager
- Emerging Supplier Manager
- Category Manager
- Customer Insights Analyst
If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email careers@foodstuffs-si.co.nz
What we offer
- Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives.
- We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few.
- We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, access to online wellbeing tools, and a prayer and privacy room onsite.
- We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities.
- We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by Furry Friend Fridays and monthly social events!
- We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength.
- Our Papanui based office has free carparking, an in-house café.
About us:
We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 180 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island.
We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau.
Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development. Head to https://www.foodstuffs-si.co.nz/who-we-are if you’re keen to learn a little more about us and the awesome work we do.