At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and development of Accessories & Seasonal Gifting, shaping beautiful product ranges.
- Company: Neptune, a design-led homeware brand committed to quality and craftsmanship.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, life assurance, discounts, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make a real impact on beautiful home products.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Category Manager or Buyer in design-led categories, with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
At Neptune, we believe the things we bring into our homes should be made to be lived with and loved for years to come. We're looking for a Category Manager: Accessories & Seasonal Gifting to join our Product team based at our Support Offices in Swindon, Wiltshire (and hybrid working) and take ownership of this much-loved category. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can combine commercial acumen, creative product judgement and a passion for beautifully considered design.
The role involves owning the end-to-end strategy, performance and development of the Accessories & Seasonal Gifting category - from identifying opportunities and shaping seasonal ranges through to product development, trading and supplier management. You will develop short, medium and long-term category strategies that balance customer appeal, brand positioning and commercial performance. You will own key KPIs including revenue, margin, stock health and sell-through, using trading insight to identify opportunities, manage risk and adapt plans when needed.
Day to day you'll:
- Work closely with Design and Merchandising, leading seasonal range planning, identify white-space opportunities and ensure new products meet Neptune's standards for design, quality and sustainability.
- Manage briefs through the Critical Path and key stage gates, ensuring projects are delivered on time and with clear communication across teams.
- Build strong relationships with our own factory and external suppliers, negotiating pricing, MOQs, lead times and terms while protecting quality and margin.
- Manage supplier performance and category expenditure, ensuring the operational health of the category remains strong.
- Collaborate with Brand Creative, Marketing, E-commerce, Retail, Wholesale, Franchise, Operations and Commercial to bring product stories to life, optimise availability and understand what our customers and teams are telling us.
- Lead and develop our Category Assistant, providing clear direction, coaching and support while continually looking for ways to improve processes and reduce unnecessary administration.
About you: You'll have strong previous experience as a Category Manager or Buyer, ideally within home, interiors, furniture or another design-led category. You'll have experience owning category P&L and trading KPIs, leading range planning and product development, managing Critical Paths and negotiating with suppliers. You'll be commercially and analytically strong, but equally confident using your product instinct and creative judgement to build ranges that customers want to bring into their homes.
You'll be highly organised, decisive and comfortable managing complexity, with the ability to build strong relationships across multiple teams. Experience leading and developing people is important, as is a genuine appetite for getting hands-on and taking ownership. Experience within a founder-led or premium/high-end retailer would be beneficial.
Why Neptune? At Neptune, you'll be part of a team that cares deeply about thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and creating beautiful things that last. You'll have the opportunity to shape a category with real creative and commercial potential, working alongside talented teams to create products that bring beauty, comfort and a sense of home to everyday living. If you're commercially curious, creatively minded and excited by the opportunity to shape beautiful, successful product ranges, we'd love to hear from you.
What Benefits we can offer you:
- Generous Holiday Allowance
- Option to purchase additional annual leave
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Generous new item and factory outlet discounts
- Discounted gym membership
- Perkbox: Wellbeing Hub and Retail Discounts Portal
- Your birthday day off
- Day off if you become a Grandparent
- A week off to celebrate a life event
- Refer a friend scheme
- Long service holiday allowance increase
- Training workshops
We are a growing business that encourages people to grow with us. Neptune's goal is to ensure we have a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all of our employees have equal access to opportunities and everyone's voices are heard.
Our Story: Founded in 1996 by friends John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman, Neptune design and make pieces for your whole home. Recognised for our exacting standards, design-led aesthetic and expert craftsmanship, we're perhaps most known for kitchens - with heirloom-worthy dressers not far behind. Neptune's trademark 'look' is British: refined, simple, sturdy, and with an almost obsessive attention to detail. We're also respected for our commitment to craft and quality. Put simply, we make things we're proud of, and that are designed to last a lifetime.
Category Manager, Accessories and Seasonal Gifting in Salisbury employer: Neptune (Europe) Ltd
At Neptune, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration. As a Barista at The Provenist in Bath, you'll enjoy the unique advantage of working in a beautifully designed space that fosters community and connection, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within our expanding brand. Join us to be part of a team that celebrates great food and warm hospitality, making every day rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager, Accessories and Seasonal Gifting in Salisbury
✨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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd, 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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager, Accessories and Seasonal Gifting in Salisbury
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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd, 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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd 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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Neptune (Europe) Ltd
✨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!
