At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales by shaping product ranges and planning promotional activities for seasonal categories.
- Company: Join ITS, a leading independent power and hand tool supplier in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, employee discounts, pension scheme, and on-site gym.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with exciting products and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with clear career progression.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or a similar commercial role, with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Why join us at ITS? ITS are one of the largest independent power & hand tool suppliers in the UK with a hugely successful online presence and retail operation with ambitious plans for future growth and development. Our company prides itself on its strong work ethic, friendly and sociable atmosphere with a management structure who are supportive and keen to encourage internal progression.
Location: Harlow (Office-Based Role)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Head of Core Categories / Commercial Manager
This isn’t your standard buying role. We’re not here to offer just another procurement job where you tick boxes or just press buttons – you’re making the calls that drive sales – fast. At ITS, buying means having commercial instincts, understanding the market and being ahead of the competition to exceed brand and margin targets. Alongside negotiating keen cost prices with suppliers, you’ll be shaping product ranges, setting sell-out prices, and planning weekly promotional activity that keeps us ahead of the competition both online and in-store.
This role has a particular focus on our seasonal product categories, including Garden & Outdoor and Workwear, requiring proactive planning, forecasting and commercial decision-making to maximise sales throughout the year. We’re a fast-paced, close-knit, ideas-driven team where the right personality in the office matters just as much as the experience.
We Want Someone Who’s:
- Full of energy and initiative
- Has commercial instinct to turn buying decisions into sales
- Confident in negotiating to influence results
- Clear decision making with the ability to act fast
Key Responsibilities:
- Building and executing comprehensive seasonal ranges that align with company targets and customer demand
- Monitoring stock levels to ensure availability throughout the season
- Effectively controlling end of season markdowns and seasonal range changes
- Monitor market trends, identify new product opportunities to develop the range
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships with suppliers, negotiating prices and promotional activity
- Work cross-functionally with internal teams particularly the marketing department
- Plan and execute promotional activity across the website and in stores
What The Role Involves:
- Regular use of spreadsheets, pivot tables, and data to make informed commercial decisions
- Switching between team projects and solo work to meet deadlines
- Staying organised and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Commercial awareness with a deep understanding of the target market and market pricing
- Managing seasonal product categories, ensuring effective planning, forecasting and promotional activity throughout key trading periods.
- Primarily desk-based with use of Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and other internal software for analysis, pricing, and reporting
Desirable Experience:
- Experience in buying, selling, or a similar commercial role
- Background or knowledge in retail, gardening tools or a similar environment
Why Join Us?
You'll be part of a collaborative and supportive team environment, working with exciting products and well-established suppliers. This role offers the opportunity to directly contribute to the direction and success of key product categories, with clear pathways for career progression and personal development.
If you think you have the drive and passion to excel in this role and have the appropriate skills and experience we would love to hear from you.
ITS offer a range of benefits including:
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank holidays) which increases with length of service up to 33 days
- Employee Discount
- Pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free secure on-site parking
- Great facilities with free tea/coffee
- Company & ad-hoc team social event
- On site Gym
Category Controller – Seasonal Ranges (Garden & Outdoor and Workwear) in Chelmsford employer: ITS
Join a dynamic team in Bristol as a Senior Recruitment Consultant, where you'll thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises career development and offers uncapped commission opportunities. Our commitment to employee growth ensures that you can advance your skills and career while making a meaningful impact in the blue collar construction sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Controller – Seasonal Ranges (Garden & Outdoor and Workwear) in Chelmsford
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like ITS, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like ITS!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Controller – Seasonal Ranges (Garden & Outdoor and Workwear) in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at ITS, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at ITS and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show ITS that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at ITS
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
