Assistant Category Manager – Emerging & International

Kia ora. We’re Foodies. You know New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square right? That’s us! With 300+ stores and over 24,000 Foodies across Te Ika‑a‑Māui, our North Island Co‑op has the privilege of helping New Zealanders get more out of life. Locally owned, we reflect the communities we serve, and we celebrate our people – our taonga – every day for being uniquely them. 

Our Merchandise team works with supplier partners and store teams on category ranging, buying, pricing and promotions so we can get the right products on the right shelves at the right time for our customers. 

As our Emerging & International Assistant Category Manager, you’ll help small, emerging and international suppliers navigate their journey with Foodies. Working as part of our Merchandise team, you’ll provide practical support, commercial guidance and insights that help suppliers grow successfully across our Co-op.  

• Coach and support a portfolio of suppliers as they prepare for retail and progress through their journey with Foodies. 

• Use sales data and customer insights to inform ranging decisions, set clear expectations and regularly review supplier performance. 

• Guide suppliers through Foodies processes, from onboarding and getting products into stores through to further ranging opportunities. 

• Be a key contact for product enquiries, working collaboratively with stores, suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues. 

• Support supplier events and wider initiatives that help emerging and international suppliers succeed across the Co-op. 

You’ll be customer-focused, commercially minded and passionate about helping suppliers succeed. You’ll enjoy building strong relationships, solving problems and working through detail, while remaining adaptable in a busy and responsive environment. 

• Strong business acumen and a customer-led approach, with the ability to develop innovative and practical solutions. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication, planning and relationship-building skills. 

• Confidence using technology and learning new systems, with SAP knowledge considered an advantage. 

• A collaborative working style, balanced with the confidence to take ownership and work independently. 

• Curiosity, flexibility and a hands-on approach, with the ability to deliver a high volume of quality work at pace. 

We’re proud to have a focus on Diversity & Inclusion here at Foodies and welcome courageous behaviour, encourage togetherness, inspire our people to be their best selves in our Foodies whānau.  

If you require accessibility support to ensure you can fairly access our recruitment process, please reach out to  Recruitment.Foodstuffs@foodstuffs.co.nz.  Accessibility support could include, interview location, sign language interpreter, assistive technology.