Category Manager (Fresh Produce)

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Category Manager

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Category Manager

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OddboxGet AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.Role type:

Full-time, permanent

Salary:

£55-65K depending on experience

Location:

Hybrid - Minimum 2 days a week at an Oddbox or supplier site, with requirement to travel to other locations when needed.

Our site options: Head Office Vauxhall, Packing Site Birmingham, Distribution Centre Croydon

Working pattern:

5 days a week, Monday to Friday

Start date:

ASAP

About Oddbox

Oddbox is on a mission to tackle food waste, one of the most solvable climate challenges, responsible for nearly five times the emissions of the aviation sector. Our subscription service has already saved over 50 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables. Join our team to help create even greater impact and inspire more people to reduce food waste – one curvy cucumber at a time.

The Role

We’re looking for a strategic, customer-focused

Category Manager

to lead our fresh produce sourcing and help shape the commercial proposition at Oddbox.

You’ll be responsible for setting and delivering the sourcing strategy for our full range of fruit and vegetables — delighting customers with a seasonal, sustainable, and exciting selection each week. Working closely with our sourcing and technical teams, you''ll ensure we partner with the best suppliers, source the best-quality surplus produce, and curate boxes that keep customers coming back for more.

As the business grows, this role will evolve to take on broader commercial ownership of our customer offering, including leading the development of new product ranges.

Key Responsibilities

? Define and deliver the

strategic direction

of Oddbox’s core and seasonal product range

? Lead the sourcing of fruit (with support from the Junior Buyer) and

own the overall produce sourcing strategy

? Ensure a

customer-led approach

to range planning — balancing surplus opportunity, seasonality, and variety

? Manage and review supplier performance, driving

quality, reliability, and innovation

across our supply base

? Attend industry events, build partnerships, and grow Oddbox’s presence within the produce and sustainability space

? Own and manage the category cost base

— securing competitive pricing and strong margins through smart negotiation and benchmarking

? Oversee the

weekly box planning process

to deliver compelling, well-balanced boxes for customers

? Develop and coach

your team, providing leadership and growth opportunities for direct reports

? Monitor and drive key customer satisfaction and commercial KPIs

Required Experience

Proven experience as a fruit buyer or category manager in the fresh produce industry

Strong understanding of local and international supply chains

Track record of sourcing produce via various models and countries of origin

Experience analysing market and customer trends to influence product strategy

Background in supplier or customer management within produce or FMCG

Required Skills

Strategic planning and category development

Highly organised and able to prioritise in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment

Strong communication skills

Performance and relationship management with growers and suppliers

Strong commercial acumen and budget ownership

People leadership and team development

Risk management

Problem solving and adaptability

Spreadsheet and data analysis competency

Required Mindset and Behaviours

Passionate about the Oddbox mission and committed to fighting food waste

Genuine love for the

fresh produce industry

Commercially forward-thinking and

embracing of change

Mindful, inclusive and collaborative team player

Positive, entrepreneurial, and solutions-oriented

Supportive and

people-first

leadership style

Self-motivated and comfortable working autonomously

Nice to Have

Experience across

fruit, veg

and

salad

categories

A strong

network of growers and suppliers

Exposure to B2C, subscription or D2C businesses

Experience in sustainable food systems or surplus produce

Why join us?

Be part of a passionate, purpose-driven team working to tackle food waste – one of the most solvable climate challenges.

Drive real change within a sustainability-focused, tech-driven business.

Work in a hybrid, collaborative culture at our Vauxhall office.

Shape and lead mission-critical acquisition projects that directly impact growth and sustainability.

Our company benefits include:

33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), plus four "not-sick" days, and two volunteering days each year.

You’ll also get a £300 personal development budget, plenty of peer-to-peer learning opportunities, wellbeing support through YuLife, coaching via BeHappi, and receive discount on Oddbox products.

How To Apply

If you’re motivated by ambitious growth and making a real difference in tackling one of the most solvable climate challenges, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us make every wonky box count.Seniority level

Seniority level Mid-Senior levelEmployment type

Employment type Full-timeJob function

Job function Marketing and SalesIndustries Food and Beverage ServicesReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at Oddbox by 2xGet notified about new Category Manager jobs in

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