Category Manager, Furniture in Birmingham
Category Manager, Furniture

Category Manager, Furniture in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 55000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
I Love My Job

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape the furniture category, driving product development and commercial success.
  • Company: Dynamic, design-led lifestyle brand with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Up to £55,000 salary, hybrid work, and a supportive environment.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Own a product category and make a real impact in the homewares industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in category management or product development, strong commercial acumen required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ 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, collaborative 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, Furniture in Birmingham employer: I Love My Job

Join a vibrant, design-led lifestyle brand that champions creativity and collaboration, offering a hybrid work environment that fosters innovation in the furniture category. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects from concept to launch while being supported by a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages proactive decision-making. This role not only allows you to shape product strategy but also to thrive in a dynamic team where your passion for homewares can truly shine.
I Love My Job

Contact Detail:

I Love My Job Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager, Furniture in Birmingham

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 genuinely passionate about what they do!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can take ownership of a product category and drive commercial performance. Highlight your project management skills and your ability to collaborate across teams to bring products to market efficiently.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager, Furniture in Birmingham

Category Management
Product Development
Commercial Acumen
Data Interpretation
Project Management
Trend Awareness
Collaboration
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Product Lifecycle Management
Market Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Supplier Management
Process Improvement
Regulatory Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in category management and product development, especially in homewares or furniture. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for furniture and homewares, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm, so let your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen and project management skills. Use data to back up your successes – we love numbers that tell a story!

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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at I Love My Job

✨Know Your Category Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the furniture category. Understand current trends, key competitors, and consumer preferences. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and expertise, showing that you're not just a candidate but a potential leader in the field.

✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Prepare examples of past projects where you've successfully managed product lifecycles. Highlight how you led teams from concept to launch, focusing on your ability to juggle multiple streams while ensuring quality and compliance. This will illustrate your hands-on approach and organisational skills.

✨Data-Driven Decision Making

Be ready to discuss how you've used sales data and market insights to inform product strategies. Bring specific examples of how your decisions positively impacted commercial performance. This will show that you can blend creativity with analytical thinking, a key trait for this role.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, prepare to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share stories that highlight your communication skills and how you've successfully aligned different departments towards a common goal. This will demonstrate that you’re a team player who thrives in a supportive environment.

Category Manager, Furniture in Birmingham
I Love My Job
Location: Birmingham

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>