At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the global strategy for Brompton's Bikes category, driving growth and performance.
- Company: Join Brompton Bicycle, a British icon known for its innovative folding bikes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a company that values craft and engineering excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in urban mobility while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial leadership experience and strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Brompton Bicycle is a British icon. Since 1975 we have designed and hand-built the world’s most refined folding bicycle in our London factory, selling in over 45 countries to riders who refuse to compromise between city living and genuine cycling pleasure. We are a company driven by craft, engineering obsession and a belief that urban mobility should be both practical and joyful. As we scale our global ambitions - expanding our product portfolio, entering new markets and investing in our next generation of platforms - we are creating this senior commercial leadership role to own the category that is at the very heart of everything we do.
The Category Director - Bikes is a leadership role with end-to-end accountability for the global success of Brompton’s Bikes category. As part of the whole category team under the Go to Market department, you will be the global owner of category performance, integrating product, market and operational inputs into clear commercial decisions that drive profitable, sustainable growth. The Category team will be a trio with the Product Director and Marketing lead for the bike category. This is a role for a commercially rigorous, strategically sharp leader who is equally comfortable setting long-term category direction and holding themselves accountable for near-term performance. You will work across the full commercial cycle - from portfolio strategy and pricing architecture through to volume planning, inventory management and regional execution - influencing senior stakeholders across Product, Brand, Operations and regional teams worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Commercial Direction
- Setting the long-term category direction across range architecture, pricing and segmentation, channels and route-to-market, and geographic prioritisation.
- Balancing platform investment, portfolio shape, and market opportunity to deliver sustainable revenue growth and margin improvement.
- Translating business strategy into category-level commercial commitments that are coherent across all markets.
- Market Insight & Opportunity Definition
- Develop and maintain the company’s view of total addressable market (TAM), growth dynamics, and regional opportunity.
- Translate insight into clear strategic choices about where to compete, where not to compete, and which customer segments and use-cases to prioritise.
- Ensure the category strategy is driven by data and commercial reality, not assumptions.
- Volume Planning & Forecasting
- Set the initial global category plan, integrating product roadmap inputs, market demand signals, and regional constraints.
- Challenge and refine regional forecasts to ensure credibility, consistency, and alignment to category strategy.
- Own the base business forecast across existing product lines, and ensure new product plans are underpinned by realistic demand assumptions.
- Global Leadership & Market Integration
- Set category targets and align regional delivery, working directly with regional leaders to validate plans, identify risks early, and drive corrective action.
- Hold regions accountable for delivery against agreed targets, while supporting with clear range guidance, pricing discipline, and commercial clarity.
- Be the connective tissue between global commercial ambition and local market execution.
- Portfolio & Lifecycle Management
- Own platform and product family strategy, SKU rationalisation, and complexity management.
- Drive lifecycle decisions across new product introduction, ramp-up and scaling, and phase-out and exit.
- Ensure the range remains coherent, differentiated and commercially viable at all times.
- Commercial Inputs to Product Development
- Provide clear commercial guardrails to the Product team - including margin requirements, market timing constraints, and demand assumptions.
- Lead commercial input into New Product Introduction (NPI) business cases and investment decisions.
- Ensure every product decision is commercially viable, aligned to category strategy, and supported by credible demand.
- Inventory Ownership
- Own total stock levels and working capital outcomes for the Bikes category.
- Manage range balance across platforms and models throughout lifecycle transitions.
Category Director - Bikes in London employer: brompton
Brompton in Greenford is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience in cutting-edge electric drive systems. Our commitment to quality and safety ensures that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of our products, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Director - Bikes in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Category Director - Bikes at brompton!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like brompton or be willing to refer you for that Category Director - Bikes position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from brompton who’s on the lookout for their next Category Director - Bikes star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Category Director - Bikes role at brompton!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Director - Bikes in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at brompton. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at brompton
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at brompton. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
