At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategies and collaborate with teams to drive growth and enhance customer experience.
- Company: B&M, a fast-paced retail business focused on exceptional value and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, in-store discounts, and a wide range of retail and hospitality perks.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and customer-centric solutions.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a growing company while shaping the future of key trading categories.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
At B&M, we're committed to delivering exceptional value and a compelling shopping experience for our customers.
As a Senior Category Planning Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the long‑term direction of key trading categories, ensuring our strategy reflects customer needs, market trends and commercial opportunities.
This is a highly strategic role that combines customer insight, commercial thinking and cross‑functional leadership.
You'll work closely with a wide range of stakeholders to develop category plans that drive sustainable growth, strengthen our market position and enhance our customer proposition.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead category strategies, visions and priorities that deliver sustainable sales, profit and market share growth.
- Analyse customer, shopper, market and competitor insights to identify opportunities and anticipate emerging trends.
- Define strategic direction across range, pricing, promotions, space, store formats and marketing activity.
- Collaborate with teams across Trading, Marketing, Store Operations and other functions to turn strategy into actionable category plans.
- Lead category reviews, monitor performance and continuously refine plans to maximise commercial outcomes.
- The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in category management, category planning, commercial strategy or a related retail environment.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret customer, market and performance data to inform decision‑making.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence, challenge and align senior colleagues.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long‑term vision with commercial priorities and execution.
- Passionate about customers, market trends and delivering innovative solutions that drive business growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced category professional to make a significant impact within a fast‑paced, growing retail business while helping shape the future direction of our categories.
We offer a competitive benefits package, including discounts in‑store and with a wide range of retail and hospitality partners.
Check out our full benefits here - https://careers. bmstores. co. uk/our-bm-benefits/
B&M Retail are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all colleagues.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Category Manager in Liverpool employer: B&M Retail
B&M is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Refit Project Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment with extensive training opportunities, competitive benefits including store discounts, and the chance to make a tangible impact on our store portfolio across the South of the UK. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, B&M fosters a collaborative atmosphere where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in Liverpool
✨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 B&M Retail, 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 B&M Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager in Liverpool
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 B&M Retail, 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 B&M Retail 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 B&M Retail that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&M Retail
✨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!
