Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain

Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage supply chain categories and optimise costs while collaborating across teams.
  • Company: Join ASOS, a global fashion retailer that celebrates individuality and creativity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, flexible benefits, and 25 days of annual leave plus a bonus day.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal growth and development.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment and make a real impact on logistics.
  • Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

Company Description

We're ASOS, the online retailer for fashion lovers all around the world. We exist to give our customers the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you're free to be your true self without judgement, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions. Everyone needs some help showing up as their best self. We're Disability Confident Committed – let our Talent team know if you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Job Description

The Details

Supply Chain is a critical pillar of ASOS’ operations, with an annual spend exceeding £630 million. This global sourcing role is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of services that underpin our end-to-end logistics and infrastructure strategy. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, this is a great opportunity to gain experience in a fun, agile organisation where you can build on your existing procurement skills by working across a wide range of projects and the breadth of the category. You will gain a deep understanding of how a global fast-paced online retailer operates and will have the opportunity to work with stakeholders across exciting business areas.

  • End‑to‑end category management — Own the strategy, sourcing, and performance of last mile, air, sea, warehousing, and automation categories, ensuring commercial and operational excellence.
  • Cost optimisation — Build cost models, benchmark rates, and identify savings across delivery, freight, fulfilment, and automation solutions.
  • Market intelligence — Track global trends in parcel delivery, freight markets, warehouse tech, and automation to inform category strategies.
  • Supplier performance — Develop and manage SLAs, KPIs, and QBRs across courier, freight, and warehousing partners to drive speed, reliability, and cost efficiency.
  • Cross‑functional collaboration — Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Tech, and Sustainability to ensure logistics and fulfilment solutions support business priorities.
  • Risk management — Assess and mitigate operational, geopolitical, capacity, and compliance risks across courier networks, global freight lanes, and warehouse operations.
  • Sustainability alignment — Support ASOS sustainability goals by evaluating emissions across delivery, freight, and warehousing, and promoting lower‑impact alternatives.
  • Innovation scouting — Identify emerging technologies in delivery, automation, warehousing, and fulfilment, assessing commercial and operational viability.
  • Data‑driven decision making — Use analytics, forecasting, and scenario modelling to guide sourcing, network design, and performance optimisation.
  • Stakeholder communication — Present category strategies, commercial recommendations, and performance insights to senior leadership.

We believe being together in person helps us move faster, connect more deeply, and achieve more as a team. That’s why our approach to working together includes spending at least 3 days a week in the office. It’s a rhythm that speeds up decision‑making, helps ASOSers learn from each other more quickly, and builds the kind of culture where people can grow, create, and succeed.

Qualifications about You

  • Category management expertise — Strong experience managing courier/last mile categories, with additional exposure to air, sea, warehousing, or automation.
  • Global network understanding — Knowledge of international carrier networks, freight markets, fulfilment operations, and cross‑border logistics.
  • Commercial strength — Skilled in negotiation, cost modelling, and contract optimisation across multiple logistics categories.
  • Proven experience in developing and establishing supply chain sourcing strategies whilst embedding them in a driven organisation.
  • Data fluency — Comfortable working with dashboards, financial models, and operational data to inform decisions.
  • A thorough understanding of relevant procurement systems and tools and proactively providing input to the centre of excellence on improvement opportunities.
  • Supplier partnership building — Able to build strong, accountable relationships with courier, freight, and warehousing partners.
  • Senior stakeholder engagement — Confident influencing leaders and cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced environment.
  • The confidence and motivation to work independently whilst ensuring senior stakeholders and management are appropriately informed or consulted as required.
  • Pragmatic problem solving — Solutions‑focused, adaptable, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
  • The ability to proactively pivot quickly and prioritise effectively within a dynamic environment susceptible to change.
  • Sustainability mindset — Passionate about improving environmental performance across delivery, freight, and fulfilment networks.
  • E‑commerce agility — Thrives in a dynamic, high‑growth online retail environment.
  • Clear communication — Strong communication skills and ability to forge relationships with suppliers and stakeholders that are fit for purpose and positively represents procurement.
  • CIPS certification or relevant experience.

Additional Information

  • Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
  • Employee sample sales
  • 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment
  • Discretionary bonus scheme
  • Private medical care scheme
  • Flexible benefits allowance -- which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits
  • Opportunity for personalised learning and in‑the‑moment experiences that enable you to thrive and excel in your role

Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain employer: ASOS

ASOS, the parent company of TOPSHOP and TOPMAN, is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will benefit from personalised learning opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Enjoy competitive benefits such as generous annual leave, private medical care, and exclusive employee discounts, all while being part of a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the future of fashion.

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Contact Details:

ASOS Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain

✨Join Supply Chain Meetups

Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.

✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn

Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.

✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities

Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.

✨Apply through Our Website

When you spot a position at ASOS, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager – Supply Chain

Category Management Expertise
Global Network Understanding
Commercial Strength
Data Fluency
Supplier Partnership Building
Senior Stakeholder Engagement
Pragmatic Problem Solving

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!

Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at ASOS. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!

Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research ASOS and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!

How to prepare for a job interview at ASOS

✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management

Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!

✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!

✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills

In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at ASOS.

✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by ASOS

Look into any unique supply chain challenges ASOS might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!