US Category Manager, Strategic SourcingLocation: NYC, SF, LA, CHI or MIA - Full-time (remote)
We are looking for a hands-on US Buying & Operations Manager to build and scale Zapp's US supply chain from the ground up. This is a rare zero-to-one role: you will source and onboard the US brands our customers want, own the commercial relationships behind them, and run the physical journey of goods from the US to our UK distribution centre, covering freight forwarding, warehousing, import compliance and relabeling. As the range grows, you will turn what you have built into a repeatable, efficient operation. It suits a self-starter who is equally comfortable spotting the next trending brand and unblocking a stuck shipment, and who is excited to build alongside us rather than inherit a finished machine.
Key Responsibilities- Spot emerging US brands and products before they reach the mainstream, and decide which belong in the Zapp range.
- Build and own relationships with US brands and suppliers, from first outreach through to signed terms. Ideally, have an existing network of brand relationships to pull on.
- Negotiate cost, delivery and payment terms that protect margin and reduce risk.
- Own the end-to-end logistics of moving stock from the US to our UK DC: freight forwarding, warehousing, customs and import compliance, and relabelling to meet UK requirements.
- Stand up the processes, partners and controls that let the US supply chain scale reliably as volumes grow.
- Use demand data and sales trends to forecast, plan buys and manage inventory, minimising both stockouts and overstock.
- Ensure every product meets UK food safety, labelling and regulatory standards before it reaches the shelf.
- Work across Buying, Marketing, Merchandising and Operations to land a coherent customer offer.
Requirements- Experience in buying, category management or supply chain, ideally in food, grocery or FMCG.
- Ideally, a track record of building or running international supply chains; US-to-UK import experience (freight forwarding, customs, labelling) is a strong advantage.
- Commercial instinct: confident sourcing brands, negotiating terms and building supplier relationships from scratch.
- Strong analytical skills: comfortable using data to forecast demand, build business cases and drive decisions.
- High-energy self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, makes decisions with imperfect information and spots problems before they escalate.
- Tenacious communicator who influences internally and externally, pushes back when needed and always finds the route through.
- Willingness to travel throughout the US and to London when needed.
Benefits- Competitive salary of between $80,000-$120,000, depending on experience.
- Equity package, depending on experience.
If you are a hands-on leader who thrives on building high-performing teams and building our US supply chain from the ground up, we encourage you to apply!
Department Commercial Locations New York City
