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, annual bonuses, generous discounts, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression and personal development in a dynamic workplace.
- 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 60000 - 75000 £ 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - Beds & Mattresses Support Centre Buying Globe Centre Accrington - ...
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Bensons For Beds, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Bensons For Beds!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager - Beds & Mattresses Support Centre Buying Globe Centre Accrington - ...
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Bensons For Beds, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Bensons For Beds and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Bensons For Beds that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bensons For Beds
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
