At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Sports & Outdoors category strategy and sourcing across Europe.
- Company: Join Joybuy, a dynamic player in cross-border retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the market.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for international travel and career advancement.
- Why this job: Bridge East and West while driving growth in an exciting industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement or category management, fluent in English and Mandarin.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
As part of Joybuy’s 1P Retail Business – Cross-Border Team, the Head of Sports & Outdoors Category will lead category strategy, sourcing and commercial growth across European markets, leveraging China's competitive supply chain.
This role will take end-to-end ownership of the category, identifying and developing Chinese brands, manufacturers and suppliers, while driving product competitiveness, GMV and profitability.
Acting as a key bridge between East and West, the successful candidate will connect China's supply chain capabilities with European consumer demand.
Regular business travel to China is required to develop supplier relationships, explore sourcing opportunities and build strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Growth: Lead the Sports & Outdoors category across Europe, developing growth strategies to drive GMV, profitability and market share.
- China
- Supply
- Chain
Development: Identify and develop high-quality Chinese brands, manufacturers, trading companies and suppliers, securing competitive sourcing opportunities, exclusive products and favourable commercial terms.
- Market Intelligence & Product
Selection: Analyse European consumer trends, market dynamics and sales data to identify high-potential products, brands and SKUs, ensuring a competitive product assortment.
- Commercial Negotiation & Supplier Management: Lead supplier development and commercial negotiations, optimising procurement costs, supply terms and long-term partnerships.
- Merchandising & Category Management: Manage product assortment, pricing and inventory strategies to improve sales performance, stock turnover and category profitability.
- Business Performance & Collaboration: Monitor sales, margins and inventory performance, translating data insights into business actions.
Work closely with marketing, supply chain, logistics and other teams to deliver category objectives.
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor's degree or above, preferably in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, International Trade or related disciplines.
- Experience: 5+ years of relevant industry experience, including at least 3 years in procurement, category buying, merchandising, product development or supplier management.
- Industry
Expertise: Solid experience in the Sports & Outdoors industry, particularly non-apparel hardgoods such as camping equipment, outdoor tools, fitness equipment, sporting goods, bicycles and accessories.
- China
- Supply
Chain: Proven experience working directly with Chinese brands, manufacturers, trading companies or industrial clusters, with strong supplier development and sourcing capabilities.
- European
- Market
Knowledge: Experience in the UK or European markets, with a good understanding of local consumers, e-commerce platforms and retail dynamics.
Multi-market European experience is preferred.
- Commercial & Analytical
Skills: Strong product judgement, negotiation and commercial acumen, with the ability to identify winning products, manage costs and margins, and drive category performance through data analysis.
- Languages & Cross-cultural
Capabilities: Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
Strong ability to bridge East and West, connecting Chinese supply chain capabilities with European market needs, navigating different business cultures and building trusted relationships across both markets.
- Mobility: Open to being based at any existing Joybuy office in the UK, EU or China, with a willingness to travel regularly to China for supplier visits, factory assessments, industry research and business development.
- Personal Attributes: Strong ownership, entrepreneurial mindset and results-driven approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced international business environment.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Chinese Sports & Outdoors importers, trading companies or cross-border supply chain businesses, particularly sourcing from China for European markets.
- Experience in category procurement, merchant acquisition or product development at major e-commerce platforms, working directly with Chinese sellers, brands or manufacturers.
- Established relationships with Chinese manufacturers, brands and key industry clusters.
- Experience building categories, supplier networks or businesses from the ground up.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Sports & Outdoors Category – Cross-Border Sourcing in London employer: Joybuy
JD.com, a leader in e-commerce and technology, offers an exciting opportunity for a Technical Product Manager at Joybuy, its European online retail brand. With a commitment to innovation and a dynamic work culture, employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive health insurance, and retirement plans, while working alongside a diverse international team that values collaboration and personal growth. Join us in transforming the shopping experience across the UK with cutting-edge digital solutions and make a meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sports & Outdoors Category – Cross-Border Sourcing in London
✨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 Joybuy, 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 Joybuy!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sports & Outdoors Category – Cross-Border Sourcing in London
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 Joybuy, 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 Joybuy 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 Joybuy that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joybuy
✨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!
