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- Tasks: Lead the global Accessories & Jewellery category, driving strategy and performance.
- Company: Join Harding+, the world's only dedicated cruise retailer with a global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, healthcare, and 26 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Shape a key category in a fast-paced environment while collaborating globally.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in fashion retail, strong buying experience, and team leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in a unique retail space.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Avonmouth, Bristol (Hybrid – typically Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office)
Contract: Permanent
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: Competitive + bonus + benefits
Lead a Global Accessories & Jewellery Category
At Harding+, we partner with leading global cruise lines and premium brands to deliver retail experiences across ships worldwide. Our Buying teams play a critical role in shaping these experiences - curating product ranges, building brand partnerships and driving commercial performance across international markets. We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead our Costume Jewellery & Accessories category from our Avonmouth head office. This is a high-impact leadership role with ownership of a commercially significant global category, working with premium brands such as Pandora, Swarovski, Mulberry and Coach, alongside driving growth through private label development.
Define Strategy. Drive Performance. Deliver Growth
You will take ownership of defining and executing category strategy, balancing commercial performance with a creative, trend-led approach. Working closely with the Category Director, you will shape mid-to-long-term plans, drive revenue and margin performance, and identify opportunities for growth across global markets. This role requires someone who can confidently translate insight into action, operating at both a strategic and hands-on level. You will be responsible for ensuring the category delivers against key commercial targets while continuously evolving the offer to meet customer needs.
Own Trading and Vendor Strategy
You will lead the day-to-day trading of the category, analysing performance to optimise product mix, pricing and promotions. A key focus of the role is vendor management, developing strong relationships with global branded partners while also driving innovation through private label product development, which is a core area of growth for the business. You will take ownership of range building, product development and vendor strategy, ensuring the category is commercially competitive and aligned to customer demand. This will involve negotiating trading terms, aligning brand and private label strategies, and delivering a compelling product assortment across all markets.
Lead and Develop a High-Performing Buying Team
You will lead a team of four direct reports, with wider support across the buying and merchandising functions. Strong leadership is essential, particularly in navigating a complex and evolving team environment. You will be responsible for setting direction, driving performance and developing capability within the team. This role requires someone who is confident, proactive and able to lead from the front, fostering a high-performance culture while managing competing priorities across a global business.
Collaborate Across a Global Retail Business
You will work cross-functionally with merchandising, retail operations and cruise line partners to ensure category plans are executed effectively. You will also engage directly with vendors, attend trade shows and visit ships to stay close to customer trends and market developments. The role requires someone who is commercially minded, collaborative and comfortable influencing stakeholders across different functions and regions.
About You
You are an experienced Senior Buyer, Buying Manager or Category Manager with a minimum of 10+ years' experience within a mid-sized to large fashion retail organisation. You bring strong branded fashion buying experience alongside proven capability in private label product development, which is essential for this role. You are commercially driven with a track record of delivering category growth and profitability, and you are comfortable managing complex global vendor relationships. You combine creativity with strong commercial judgement, with the ability to interpret trends and translate these into compelling product ranges and customer experiences. You are a confident leader with experience managing teams and operating within a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment. You are driven, resilient and comfortable taking calculated risks to deliver results.
What You Will Gain
You will join a global retail business headquartered in Avonmouth, Bristol. We offer:
- Annual bonus scheme
- Company pension
- Healthcare provision
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional five days
- Exposure to global retail operations across international cruise markets
- The opportunity to shape and grow a key category within a fast-moving business
About Harding+
Harding+ is the world's only dedicated cruise retailer, partnering with leading global cruise lines and operating retail shops across ships worldwide. With a growing international footprint, we continue to shape the future of onboard retail. We are committed to building diverse teams and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to thrive.
If you are a commercially driven, creative Buying leader with a passion for product and a track record of delivering category growth, we would love to hear from you.
Category Manager in Bristol employer: Harding+
Contact Detail:
Harding+ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their product ranges and market strategies, especially in the accessories and jewellery sector. This will help you showcase your knowledge and passion during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Category Manager. Highlight your successes in driving growth and managing vendor relationships, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Harding+.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Category Manager role. Highlight your achievements in managing categories, vendor relationships, and team leadership to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background in fashion retail makes you the ideal candidate. Don’t forget to mention your experience with private label development!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership style and any successful projects you've led. We want to see how you can inspire and develop a high-performing buying team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harding+
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Costume Jewellery & Accessories category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players like Pandora and Swarovski, and understand what makes a product successful in this space. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can drive performance and deliver growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Category Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to foster a high-performance culture and how you've navigated challenges while keeping your team motivated.
✨Prepare for Vendor Management Questions
Expect questions about your experience with vendor relationships and negotiations. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've developed strong partnerships or driven innovation through private label products. This will demonstrate your capability in managing complex global vendor relationships.
✨Align Your Vision with Company Goals
Research Harding+ and their approach to retail on cruise lines. Think about how your vision for the category aligns with their goals. Be prepared to articulate how you would define and execute a category strategy that balances commercial performance with creativity, ensuring it meets customer needs.