At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Category Manager in delivering budgets and enhancing customer experiences in beauty.
- Company: Join Boots, a leading retailer committed to empowering its people.
- Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, retirement savings, and enhanced leave options.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the beauty industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you ready to make a difference? Join Boots as an Assistant Category Manager based in Nottingham, Beeston. Here at Boots, we're committed to building a brilliant environment for our people, empowering you to deliver exceptional care, confidence, and connection to our customers and colleagues every day.
Welcome to the Boots ROI Beauty team - an exciting team at the heart of the Boots Ireland trading function. As customers are changing, so are we! We're focusing on really understanding our customers' needs through insights and trends, which support us to deliver the most comprehensive beauty offering in the Irish market, under one roof.
What you'll be doing:
- In this fast-paced role, you will support the Category Manager in delivering our annual budget and negotiating Joint Business Plans with our Irish supplier base.
- You'll work closely with both the Irish and UK Trading teams to ensure we meet our business priorities.
- Supporting the sales plan for the category and enhancing the customer journey through promotions.
- Providing exceptional communication and problem-solving support to our stores.
- Analysing sales performance to define product ranges and space in-store.
- Building strong relationships with UK counterparts to cascade UK-led plans.
- Identifying local opportunities in Ireland and launching new products ahead of the market.
- Delivering and leading reporting calls weekly and monthly to a variety of stakeholders across the UK and Ireland.
Requirements:
- Previous experience as a category assistant or in a junior buying/category manager role within a trading function.
- Strong organisational skills to manage multiple big brands across various subcategories.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, with the ability to extract and manipulate raw data and analyse performance and commercial data effectively.
- Exceptional communication skills, ensuring accuracy and a 'right first time' mentality.
- Experience in supplier funding to maximise commercial opportunities.
- Strong presentation skills and ability to delve into reporting requirements.
- Occasional travel per quarter to Ireland and trade shows within Europe.
Nice to have:
- Experience in Beauty/Toiletries led functions.
- Awareness of social media trends.
- A passion for beauty and a focus on career development within the trading function.
Career Development:
At Boots, we believe in your potential. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for career development within our trading function. You'll be supported by a team that values your contributions and encourages your growth.
Benefits:
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan (up to 6% company contribution)
- Generous employee discounts for you and a family member
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay
About Boots:
At Boots, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. We believe that when our people feel valued and included, they can truly make a difference.
Next Steps:
If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. We are open to discussing part-time and job share options. If you require additional support during the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you be at your best.
Assistant Category Manager - Beauty employer: Boots
Boots is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Nottingham, Beeston, where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on customer experiences. With a strong focus on career development, generous benefits including a retirement savings plan and employee discounts, and a commitment to inclusivity, Boots fosters an environment where every team member can thrive and grow within the dynamic beauty sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Category Manager - Beauty
✨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 Boots, 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 Boots!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Category Manager - Beauty
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 Boots, 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 Boots 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 Boots that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Boots
✨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!
