Category Manager

Do you work as a Senior Buyer or Senior merchandiser? Have you got Strong Analytical skills but enjoy working with local and international Suppliers and being product focused and close to the Customer? Do you have full accountability for setting the direction of the product category whilst driving sales and margin growth?

Client Details

Our client are a award winning retail business part of a blue chip group. They are looking for a category manager to monitor the performance of categories and products, using data and insight to highlight and act upon emerging themes to accelerate performance. The role will be based close to Taunton

Description

A category Manager should have the following experience:

• Has full accountability for setting the strategic direction of the category including the long-term strategy and short-term business planning

• Evaluates and leads decisions regarding new products and marketing opportunities based on consumer understanding and financial viability

• Develop and trade an innovative, compelling and market leading category pipeline that delivers real customer choice and drives sales and margin growth

• Leverage relationships with long-term suppliers relationships to deliver long term growth and innovation

• Accountable for management of the one-year plan, continuously assessing and monitoring the performance of categories and products, using data and insight to highlight and act upon emerging themes to accelerate performance

• Lead the integration of financial activities, including planning, forecasting and business analysis

• Initiates and leads the collaboration of diverse teams including marketing, commercial and category planning to deliver impact across categories. Builds and maintains relationships with strategic industry and cross-functional partners.

• Continuously monitors market and consumer trends, acting on insight to ensure they are able to exploit emerging trends

• Manages the creation of content and communication tools to other functions and stores

• Maximise product impact across all channels

• Leads communications and presentations with senior leadership teams

Profile

The candidate should be a category manager or from a buying or merchandising background and be able to live and work near Taunton

• Proven experience in leading a category strategy with a key understanding of how to access growth levers to deliver sales and margin growth

• Experience of market trend interpretation and analysis to deliver a market leading strategy

• Proven track record of delivering category growth

• Experience of leading product development projects from inspiration to completion

• Able to build successful relationships across a business and with suppliers to deliver growth

• Proven experience as a senior commercial operator or other relevant role

• Strategic thinker with long term strategic planning and tactical trading experience

• Experience of managing and developing your team, putting succession plans in place

• Excellent commercial acumen, project management, influencing and communication skills

• Proven financial management capability

Job Offer

• Competitive and attractive salary and package