At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and performance of the Beds & Mattresses category for exceptional customer sleep solutions.
- Company: Join a supportive and collaborative team at Bensons for Beds.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, generous discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in an inclusive culture that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product excellence and customer experience in a thriving retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management with strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the role
As our Senior Category Manager - Beds & Mattresses, you will lead the strategic development and commercial performance of the Beds & Mattresses category. You will be responsible for defining range strategy, supplier partnerships, margin and pricing optimisation, promotional planning and lifecycle management to drive profitable growth and deliver exceptional sleep solutions to our customers.
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary with annual bonus potential linked to category performance
- Comprehensive benefits including Life Assurance and access to Medicash
- Generous colleague discount on Bensons for Beds products
- Learning and development opportunities with clear career progression
- Supportive, collaborative culture focused on customer experience and product excellence
Key responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end category strategy for Beds & Mattresses, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and customer needs
- Develop and maintain the product range, including NPD input, range rationalisation and lifecycle planning
- Manage supplier relationships and commercial negotiations to secure competitive terms, product innovation and reliable supply
- Set and optimise pricing, margin and promotional strategies to maximise sales and profitability
- Work closely with Merchandising, Buying, Supply Chain, Marketing and Store Teams to deliver effective range presentation, availability and campaign execution
- Analyse sales, margin and inventory data to identify opportunities and risks, producing actionable insights and regular performance reports
- Lead forecasting and inventory planning for the category to minimise stock risk while meeting demand
- Coach and mentor junior buying and category colleagues, sharing best practice and building capability in the team
- Ensure compliance with commercial policies, quality standards and supplier contracts
What we're looking for
- Proven experience in category management, buying or commercial roles within furniture, bedding or a related retail sector
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving margin, sales and range performance
- Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships
- Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into clear recommendations
- Experience of forecasting, inventory management and promotional planning
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels
- Proven team leadership or people development experience
- Proficient in Excel and comfortable working with commercial reporting tools and ERPs
- Degree-level education or equivalent commercial experience is desirable
How you'll work
- Collaboratively with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused ranges and campaigns
- With a customer-first mindset, balancing commercial targets with product quality and sleep wellness outcomes
- Using insight and data to prioritise initiatives that deliver the greatest commercial impact
Our values and inclusion
We are devoted, driven and daring. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all colleagues can thrive. This role will be conducted in a gender-neutral and supportive environment.
Senior Category Manager - Beds & Mattresses Support Centre · Buying · Globe Centre Accrington -[...] employer: Bensons For Beds
At Bensons for Beds, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our employees. Located in Huntingdon, our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for learning and development, including graduate training and clear progression pathways. With competitive benefits such as a generous employee discount scheme, a robust pension plan, and hybrid working options, we ensure that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to our mission of delivering the best night's sleep.
