At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and development for a trendy lifestyle brand.
- Company: Dynamic, design-led lifestyle brand with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Shape innovative homeware products and make a real impact in the market.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or product development is essential.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're partnering with a dynamic, design-led lifestyle brand to recruit a commercial Category Manager to sit within their product team. This senior role offers the chance to take full ownership of a core product category, shaping strategy, guiding product development, and driving commercial performance. You'll work closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver ranges that are both on-trend and commercially successful. This is a strategic, hands-on position, ideal for someone who is passionate about homewares and furniture, and who enjoys leading projects from concept to launch, making data-driven decisions, and collaborating across multiple teams to bring products to market efficiently.
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Leadership: Develop and execute a long-term strategy for the category, identifying opportunities for new products, range extensions, and growth. Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of products, from initial concept through launch, commercial performance, and retirement of lines. Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and consumer insights to inform category planning and identify areas for differentiation.
- Product Development & Commercial Delivery: Work with design and development teams to create products that align with brand identity and customer expectations. Make decisions on pricing, range architecture, and promotional plans to maximise performance and profitability. Collaborate with supply chain and sales teams to ensure products are delivered on time, to specification, and within margin targets.
- Process, Compliance & Quality: Maintain oversight of product quality, sustainability requirements, and regulatory compliance. Implement process improvements to streamline category management, supplier interactions, and product launches. Support the accuracy of product information across marketing, merchandising, and retail channels.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate updates and plans across teams to ensure alignment on product strategy and category goals. Work with other category leads to maintain consistency in brand execution across the business. Provide insight and recommendations based on sales data and post-launch performance to guide future development.
Who will love this job: This role will suit a commercially minded product expert who genuinely loves furniture and understands what makes a great product beyond just how it looks - from quality and construction through to pricing and long-term performance. You'll thrive if you enjoy owning a category end-to-end, setting strategy, shaping briefs, and being the commercial voice that guides design rather than leaving the details to chance. If you're someone who likes to get stuck in, works confidently with suppliers, enjoys collaborating across design, product ops and marketing, and takes pride in seeing ranges through from concept to launch, you'll feel right at home. You'll also appreciate a supportive, collaboration business where people are trusted to make decisions, learn from mistakes, speak up, and go the extra mile for categories they're genuinely passionate about.
Requirements:
- Experience in category management or product development within consumer lifestyle, home, or FMCG sectors.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends.
- Excellent project management skills and the ability to oversee multiple product streams simultaneously.
- Creative mindset with trend awareness and an ability to influence product design and innovation.
- Collaborative and confident in communicating with multiple internal teams and external partners.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a focus on delivery.
Diversity & Inclusion: ILMJ values diversity, equality, and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and identities.
Category Manager in London employer: I Love My Job Ltd | B CorpTM
Contact Detail:
I Love My Job Ltd | B CorpTM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their brand identity and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate; you're passionate about what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Category Manager. Use specific examples that highlight your commercial acumen and project management skills to impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for homewares and furniture shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've led projects from concept to launch, and don't forget to mention any data-driven decisions you've made that had a positive impact.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in category management or product development, and how it aligns with our brand's vision.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read and understand your achievements and skills. We love a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at I Love My Job Ltd | B CorpTM
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the homewares and furniture market. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key competitors, and consumer preferences. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate your ability to make data-driven decisions.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed product lifecycles in the past. Highlight specific projects where you led from concept to launch, focusing on your organisational skills and attention to detail. This will illustrate your capability to oversee multiple product streams simultaneously.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share stories that showcase your ability to communicate effectively with design, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on product strategy.
✨Bring Data to the Table
Be prepared to talk about how you've used sales data and market insights to inform your category planning. Discuss specific instances where your analytical skills led to successful product decisions or range extensions, demonstrating your strong commercial acumen.