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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in product development, pricing, and market analysis while managing critical paths.
- Company: Join a reputable business in Oldham known for its dynamic work culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, free parking, a pension scheme, and regular social events.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team that drives innovation and product success.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management is preferred but not essential.
- Other info: Work hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with a mix of office and remote work.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Mpeople Recruitment are recruiting for an experienced Buying/Category Assistant to join a reputable business based in Oldham OL1.
Location: Oldham
Salary: up to £30,000
Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday – hybrid working (3 days in the office and 2 WFH)
Benefits:
- Hybrid working
- Free parking
- Close to travel links
- Company pension scheme
- Regular social events
Responsibilities
- Market / Competitor Understanding: Understand what the competition are selling / pricing structures / marketing for given product areas.
- Product Development: Spot and develop new product sales opportunities. Create development diaries and track and push internally and externally with the factories any developments. Samples management required for customer meetings.
- Pricing: Costing for new factory designs, Cross Costing Current designs, Updating current and new prices on price list.
- Critical Path Management – New Ranges: Setting up critical paths with factories for selected products ensuring we can meet the required shipment dates to meet launch. Creating and sending out internally packaging forms and photography forms. Responsible for weekly Intake sheets being updated and sent to our customer giving overview of approvals and what is outstanding. Escalating and tracking any products at risk and agreeing an action plan. Work with the Technical team to highlight any potential issues. Track these through development to resolve. Communicate across various departments to ensure we are hitting key dates on critical path.
- Range Management: Ensuring all our live lines costing sheets are correct and up to date and correspond with the system. Each season adding new and removing discontinued lines ready for the following seasons negotiations. Updating development documents.
- Customer Meetings: Creating initial PowerPoints to send out to internally/customers.
Please note that Mpeople cannot respond to all applicants due to the high volumes of CV's received on a daily basis. Should you not receive a response within 5 working days please accept that on this occasion your application hasn’t been successful. Mpeople wishes you all the best in your job search.
Category Assistant employer: Mpeople Recruitment North West
Contact Detail:
Mpeople Recruitment North West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the market and competitor pricing strategies. This knowledge will not only help you stand out during interviews but also demonstrate your proactive approach to understanding the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed product development or critical path management in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice creating presentations, like PowerPoints, that effectively communicate product ideas or market analysis. Being able to showcase your presentation skills can be a significant advantage during customer meetings.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the buying and category management field. Engaging with others in the industry can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Category Assistant. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in market understanding, product development, and critical path management.
Craft a Tailored CV: Your CV should reflect your experience in buying or category assistance. Emphasise any relevant skills such as pricing strategies, product management, and cross-departmental communication. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with the job requirements, particularly in areas like competitor analysis and customer meetings. Make it personal and engaging.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail, which is crucial for the role of a Category Assistant.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mpeople Recruitment North West
✨Research the Competition
Before your interview, take some time to understand the market and competitors in the category you're applying for. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your awareness of pricing structures and marketing strategies, which is crucial for a Category Assistant role.
✨Showcase Your Product Development Skills
Be prepared to discuss any previous experience you have with product development. Highlight specific examples where you've identified sales opportunities or managed samples for customer meetings, as this will show your ability to contribute effectively to the team.
✨Understand Critical Path Management
Familiarise yourself with critical path management concepts, especially how they relate to product launches. Be ready to explain how you would set up critical paths with factories and manage timelines to ensure on-time shipments.
✨Prepare for Customer Meeting Scenarios
Since creating PowerPoints for customer meetings is part of the role, practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely. Think about how you would structure a presentation and what key points you would want to convey to potential clients.
