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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail growth strategies and bring exciting product ranges to life.
- Company: Join an award-winning team at Bourne Leisure, known for its supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a holiday buy scheme, annual bonus, and generous discounts on holidays.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the retail experience in parks and stores.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail category management and strong data analysis skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an Assistant Category Development Manager to join our team and play a vital role in shaping the retail experience across our stores and parks. Supporting both Grocery and Non-Grocery categories, you’ll help bring exciting product ranges to life, from planograms and promotions to creative collaborations and seasonal events. With around 30% of your time spent on park, you’ll work closely with Activities, Leisure, and Retail teams, using data insights and strong supplier relationships to ensure our stores are stocked and designed to delight guests while driving business success. If you’re passionate about retail strategy, creativity, and collaboration, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow with us.
What You Will Be Doing
- Supporting category managers in planning and executing retail growth strategies, tracking sales and margin performance, and leading projects to improve KPIs.
- Assisting with category and range management, including data analysis, planogram development, stock forecasting, and aligning product ranges with customer expectations.
- Driving new product development and promotional strategies, managing supplier partnerships, POS/digital asset creation, and seasonal campaigns to boost sales and engagement.
- Managing commercial activities such as trading analysis, stock allocation, supplier negotiations, and shop floor layout advice to maximize retail performance and cost efficiency.
- Building strong relationships with park teams and suppliers, supporting operational compliance and brand standards, and contributing to guest satisfaction through effective communication and insights analysis.
What We’d Like You To Bring
- Experience in convenience or travel retail category management, with strong product knowledge in non-grocery categories such as gifts, toys, souvenirs, confectionery, and swimming accessories.
- Proven skills in new product development, range architecture, planogram creation, space analysis, and supplier management, including buying and merchandising.
- Strong business acumen with full P&L understanding, retail management experience, and the ability to define strategic and tactical plans that balance guest, team, and business needs.
- Excellent relationship, stakeholder management, negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills, supported by proficiency in data analysis, Excel, PowerPoint, and market research.
- Experience working in a retail head office environment, with indirect leadership of operational teams, confident communication, and a collaborative, curious, and resourceful approach.
What’s In It For You
- ‘Holiday Buy Scheme’
- Annual bonus
- Generous discounts on both Haven and Warner Hotels holiday for you, family and friends
- Comprehensive wellbeing support
- Access to the Bourne Leisure corporate box at the O2 Arena, London
- Exclusive discounts with corporate partners
- Exciting career pathways, including Learning and Development opportunities such as Apprenticeships and Degrees
- Enhanced family friendly policies and pay (eligibility criteria applied)
Who are we
We’re part of an award-winning Bourne Leisure family, which includes Haven & Warner Hotels. We have 9,000 fantastic team members and 39 beautiful seaside locations and our HQ based in Hemel Hempstead.
What’s it like to work with us
Working with us is ultimately defined by our exceptional people and teams. At Haven, we take pride in our Breath of Fresh Air culture, which focuses on valuing and supporting every team member. We prioritise openness and transparency in our interactions allowing our team members to be their authentic selves. We operate a hybrid working model, meaning 50% of your working week will be spent at the office, occasionally on Park, or at external events.
What can you expect during the recruitment process
The interview process will be up to 3 stages and may contain a presentation or skills test, depending on the role. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments to help you perform at your best during this process, please let us know. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments or flexibility that you may require, including whether a role can be part-time or a job-share. We genuinely care about every candidate's experience during the recruitment process and are here to provide support where we can. If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments while applying, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Assistant Category Development Manager - Retail in Hemel Hempstead employer: Haven
Contact Detail:
Haven Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Category Development Manager - Retail in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or at events. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the company culture and values. Think about how your skills align with their mission. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! If the interview includes a presentation, rehearse it multiple times. Make sure you can confidently showcase your ideas and how they can benefit the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Category Development Manager - Retail in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for retail shine through! Share specific examples of how you've contributed to retail strategies or product development in the past. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about shaping the retail experience.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'category management' and 'supplier relationships', to show us you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Be Data-Driven: Since data insights are key in this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Include any experience you have with data analysis, sales tracking, or performance metrics. We want to see how you can leverage data to drive retail success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haven
✨Know Your Categories
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of both grocery and non-grocery categories, especially gifts, toys, and souvenirs. Being able to discuss trends and product insights will show your passion for retail and your understanding of what excites customers.
✨Data is Your Best Friend
Prepare to talk about how you've used data analysis in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tracked sales performance or developed planograms that improved KPIs. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and business acumen.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your experience in managing supplier relationships and how you’ve influenced stakeholders to achieve common goals.
✨Be Ready for a Presentation
If the interview includes a presentation, make sure you prepare something engaging that showcases your creativity and strategic thinking. Use visuals to support your points and practice delivering it confidently, as this will reflect your ability to communicate effectively.
