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- Tasks: Lead product strategy and manage the full portfolio for educational toys.
- Company: Join Learning Resources, a family-owned company dedicated to inspiring kids through play.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits and a supportive, creative work culture.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of learning products and make a real impact on children's education.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management or category management, especially in toys or consumer products.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
Welcome to Learning Resources, where learning is where we play. Learning Resources Ltd., founded in Kings Lynn in 1994, is part of Learning Resources Inc., a USâbased, familyâowned company that has been helping parents and teachers inspire generations of amazing kids since 1984. Our educational toys give children the building blocks they need to thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning. We are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees, fostering a diverse and creative culture supported by a competitive benefits package.
The Senior Category & Product Manager plays an exciting role in shaping the future of the Learning Resources product portfolio across the UK and international markets. With endâtoâend ownership of the full portfolio, this role sets the direction for what we bring to market, how the range evolves, and how it delivers sustained commercial success.
Bringing together insight, creativity and commercial rigour, the role leads portfolio strategy across growth, innovation and lifecycle managementâensuring the range is focused, relevant and built for long-term impact. As the key partner to US product development teams, the Senior Category & Product Manager helps turn bold ideas into winning products and standout launches.
This role leads and develops the product management teamâsetting clear direction, building capability, and creating a high performing, collaborative culture. Success is seen in a confident, high-quality portfolio, products that land brilliantly in market, and a highâperforming product team delivering strong, consistent commercial results.
What Youâll Do Day To Day (responsibilities)
- Own and execute the endâtoâend category strategy, managing the product portfolio across core range, innovation, extensions, and disciplined product exits.
- Develop and maintain multiâyear category roadmaps, translating global strategy and local market needs into actionable range and margin plans.
- Lead products through the full lifecycle, from concept input and launch to performance review and endâofâlife decisions.
- Act as the primary UK interface to global product development teams, ensuring localisation, curriculum fit, and UK/EMEA market requirements are reflected.
- Drive insightâled decision making through analysis of sales performance, market data, trends, and competitor activity.
- Serve as the product and category expert for Sales, Marketing, Amazon and Supply Chain, supporting line reviews, launches, storytelling, and issue resolution.
- Collaborate crossâfunctionally on forecasting, demand planning, OEM schedules, partnerships, and licensed programmes to optimise availability and profitability.
- Lead, coach, and develop the product team, setting clear priorities, delegating effectively, and ensuring highâquality delivery aligned to trading calendars.
What We Are Looking For (Key Performance Objectives)
- Insight Led Decision Making & Market Leadership â Become the recognised category expert within the first year by using data driven insights to shape global priorities and drive market relevant product opportunities.
- Portfolio Quality & Lifecycle Discipline â Within 6â12 months, implement strong portfolio governance through disciplined take/drop decisions and delivery of a threeâyear category roadmap.
- Product Development & Launch Excellence â Within 12 months, ensure all product launches are on time, on budget, commercially robust, and continuously improved through postâlaunch performance reviews.
- Cross Functional Enablement & Influence â Continuously empower commercial and operational teams by providing compelling product narratives, supporting launch execution, and resolving product issues quickly.
- People Leadership & Team Development â Within 6â12 months, build a high performing product team by setting clear objectives, developing capability, and delegating effectively while maintaining accountability.
Required Experience & Capability
- Proven success in Category Management, Product Management or Product Development within toys, education, FMCG or consumer products.
- Strong commercial judgement and endâtoâend product lifecycle ownership.
- High analytical capability with confidence using performance and market data.
- Ability to influence across functions and internationally.
- Clear, confident communicator able to lead line reviews and senior discussions.
- Strong working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Power BI desirable.
- Organised, disciplined and outcome driven, with strong attention to detail.
Sr Category & Product Manager employer: Learning Resources (UK)
Contact Detail:
Learning Resources (UK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Sr Category & Product Manager
â¨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.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show us that youâre genuinely interested in Learning Resources and how you can contribute to our mission of inspiring kids through education.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Category & Product Manager. Highlight your insights, creativity, and commercial acumen to impress us during the interview.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us youâre serious about joining our award-winning team!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Category & Product Manager
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Show Your Passion for Learning: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and learning shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Learning Resources, so share any relevant experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to inspiring kids.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Category & Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and product development, and connect it to the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to make their application stand out!
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves insight-led decision making, include examples of how you've used data to drive product success in your previous roles. We appreciate candidates who can demonstrate their analytical skills and how theyâve applied them to achieve results.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we want to see your professional achievements, donât forget to inject a bit of your personality into your application. Weâre looking for someone who can lead and inspire a team, so showing us who you are beyond your qualifications can really make a difference. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Learning Resources (UK)
â¨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Learning Resources' product portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their educational toys and how they cater to different age groups and learning needs. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to the product strategy.
â¨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed market trends or sales performance to inform product development. This aligns perfectly with the role's focus on insight-led decision making.
â¨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As a Senior Category & Product Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be ready to share specific instances where you've successfully led a team, set clear objectives, and fostered a collaborative culture. Highlight your coaching style and how you've developed team capabilities.
â¨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've collaborated across functions, such as marketing, sales, or supply chain. Discuss how you resolved conflicts or drove projects forward by engaging different stakeholders.