Category Manager

Classic Football Shirts started in 2006 when university friends Matt Dale and Doug Bierton set out to track down rare football shirts. From those early days in a bedroom full of rails, the company has grown into a thriving business with a talented team, a busy warehouse, and stores in Manchester, London, and the US. Our passion for football and the stories behind every shirt drives everything we do. At Classic Football Shirts, we work together, stay grounded, and always put our fans at the heart of the business. We share the passion , win together , stay fan-focused , be agile , and stay grounded — values that guide how we operate every day. To find out more about our story so far please follow this link: about-us We welcome all suitably qualified applicants and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We have a great work ethic and a friendly group of diverse employees who enjoy working here to help carry out our mission. The Role Category Manager – New Product Classic Football Shirts is looking for an experienced and highly driven Category Manager for New Product to lead the growth and performance of our modern football retail offering. This is a pivotal role within the business, responsible for shaping our product strategy, managing key supplier relationships, and ensuring we continue to bring the very best new football apparel and merchandise to our global customer base. We’re looking for someone with deep experience in football retail - ideally currently working in a buying or category management role within a leading sports or football retailer. You will bring valuable marketplace knowledge, commercial instinct, and supplier understanding that will strengthen and elevate our team. If you live and breathe football and can thrive in a fast-paced, data-led environment, this is an opportunity to make a major impact. Location : Manchester (Hybrid – 1–2 days per week in the office) Hours : The role is a full-time position Key Responsibilities Help build, own and deliver the annual budget for a category within New Product, aligning financial targets with trading and growth plans. Forecast demand across all relevant product lines using sales data, trends, and brand insights to optimise stock efficiency and availability. Manage and develop relationships with major brand partners including adidas