Category Buying Manager, RTD & Cider

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

Our Coles Liquor team work across three leading brands (Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars), each with their own unique offering and customer base. With a network of more than 930 stores and ultra-convenient online sites, delivering on our commitment to provide accessible drink solutions for every occasion.

About the Role

At Coles Liquor, we’re on a mission to deliver a market-leading offer that delights customers and drives sustainable growth. As our Category Buying Manager for RTD & Cider, you’ll lead the development and execution of category strategies that optimise pricing, assortment, promotional plans, and supply continuity across all channels.

In this role, you’ll have full accountability for the category P&L, championing strategic direction and inspiring cross-functional teams to deliver profitable growth. You’ll manage range reviews, negotiate with suppliers, and build strong partnerships through Joint Business Planning. Your leadership will ensure our customers keep coming back for great quality, value, and experience.

You’ll also:

• Shape and lead the strategic direction of category range reviews, ensuring decisions are grounded in customer insights, market trends, and commercial objectives to deliver an optimised assortment that drives growth, strengthens brand positioning, and enhances value across all channels
• Develop and execute category strategies to deliver compelling offers
• Manage end-to-end range reviews and product innovation
• Build strong strategic partnerships that align on shared growth objectives, simplify trading terms, and optimise investment to deliver mutual commercial success
• Drive financial performance and manage supplier investment
• Lead a high performing team through coaching and developing talent, creating career pathways in accordance with our Win Together priority

About you and your skills

Our ideal candidate is a commercially savvy leader with a passion for liquor and a proven track record in category management. You thrive in fast-paced environments, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You’re curious and data-driven, always looking for ways to innovate and improve the customer offer. You keep your finger on the pulse of the liquor market locally and internationally, aware of the latest trends, newcomers, and risks. You’re comfortable making decisions backed by insights and market trends, and you know how to balance commercial outcomes with customer experience. You’re resilient, adaptable, and thrive on building strong relationships; whether that’s with suppliers, internal teams, or your own direct reports. Most importantly, you’re passionate about creating value and delivering results that make a real impact.

You’ll also ideally have:

• Proven experience in category management or buying, with strong knowledge of retail operations
• Experience in Retail and/or FMCG experience, particularly in category management
• Experience in end-to-end management of a range reviews and product development, with working knowledge of trade terms
• Strong negotiation ability, commercial acumen, P&L management, and analytical problem-solving
• A collaborative mindset and confidence to influence senior stakeholders

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 174417

Employment Type: Full time

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