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 home‐grown 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 Commercial team is a large, but a close‐knit group of trading experts, who are ready to shape the future of Coles. We pride ourselves on the long‐lasting supplier relationships we build, the new ideas we develop and how passionately we work to help Australian eat and live better every day. And the best part? We're all so different. We bring diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experience to every Business Unit across Coles Supermarkets and Liquor.
About The Role
Convenience is one of the most strategically important and fastest‐growing business categories in Coles. This is a trading area group with significant momentum and opportunity.
As Category Manager – Meal Solutions, you will lead ~85% of the total Convenience portfolio, spanning ready meals, soups, chilled pasta, garlic bread, pies, quiche and pizza. This role reports to the Senior Category Manager – Meals.
This is a broad and high‐impact role with significant visibility across the business. You will play a central role in shaping the future of Meal Solutions – from evolving the customer proposition and optimising space, to driving innovation, improving quality and unlocking new growth opportunities across the portfolio.
* Drive the performance and strategic direction of your categories
* Execute customer‐led category strategies that deliver sales, profit and market share growth
* Work cross‐functionally across Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations, Range and Space, and Own Brand
* Lead innovation and range development in partnership with the broader Merchandise team and supplier base
* Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and use your influence to shape category direction
* Lead negotiations across CPAs, range reviews and JBPs
* Work closely with our vertically integrated meals business, Chef Fresh, as well as major FMCG partners including General Mills
About You And Your Skills
You are a commercially strong Category professional who is comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast‐paced environment and balancing strategy with execution. You bring a strong customer lens, sound commercial judgement and the ability to lead complex categories with confidence and ownership.
You are likely to have experience across Fresh or adjacent categories, with an understanding of the operational and commercial levers that matter in these spaces, including shelf life, markdowns, waste and sustainable category profitability.
* Demonstrated Category Management experience within a leading retailer or FMCG business
* Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience managing category and/or manufacturing P&Ls
* Proven experience in strategic trade planning and supplier negotiations
* The ability to manage complex categories with high SKU counts and significant sales turnover
* Experience working with a broad supplier network, from large multinational suppliers to smaller independent businesses
* Strong influencing and stakeholder management capability across cross‐functional teams
* An innovative and customer‐first mindset, with a passion for improving quality, value and range performance
* The ability to navigate ambiguity, lead through transformation and deliver results in a fast‐paced retail environment
* A proactive, resilient approach with strong ownership and accountability
What's in it for you?
* Flexible working options – 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 programme and so much more.
* Discounts – eligible team members receive a 5% discount all year round on Supermarket and Liquor purchases, with additional periods of double discount and hotdeals exclusive to team members.
* 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.
* Opportunities for learning and development – explore career development programs and job‐specific training.
* Paid parental leave – permanent team members receive paid parental leave.
* Investment in your future – our annual team‐member share plan allows pre‐tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.
Please note applications for this role will close on Sunday 24 May 2026.
Employment Type: Full time
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