At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape retail offers and develop strategies to enhance customer experiences across stations.
- Company: Join Network Rail, where your work impacts millions of passengers daily.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, discounts, and a defined benefit pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving retail innovation in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and extensive retail management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 55596 - 67813 £ per year.
Duration: Secondment or Fixed Term Contract of 2 years with the potential to extend or go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).
Salary: £55,596 - £67,813
Who We Are
Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter. At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on train tickets.
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
About The Role
As a Category Manager, you'll shape the retail offer across our stations, combining industry expertise, commercial insight and great relationship management to deliver the right brands and experiences for our customers. You'll develop category strategies, analyse performance and market trends, identify new opportunities and work with Retail Business Partners, Surveyors and fellow Category Managers to maximise sales and income. You'll also build relationships with leading retail and food & beverage partners, supporting them across everything from new openings and lease renewals to operational and commercial challenges. If you love retail, enjoy working with people and thrive on variety and constant change, this is a role where no two days are the same.
A Little Bit About The Team...
You’ll be part of the wider Retail team within Network Rail’s Property function, working alongside Category Managers, Retail Business Partners, Surveyors and key stakeholders across the business. The team combines commercial expertise, customer insight and industry knowledge to shape the retail experience across Network Rail’s managed stations. Collaboration is a key part of the role, with colleagues working together to develop strategies that drive revenue growth while ensuring stations offer the right mix of retail, food and beverage options for passengers.
Next Steps
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 1st December, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes. We encourage you to review our Safety Vision, as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail. All external offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Your experience and skills
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for a commercially minded retail professional with extensive experience in a category management, retail operations or commercial management environment. You’ll bring strong industry knowledge and understand what drives customer behaviour, retail performance and commercial growth. You’ll be confident using data and market insight to make recommendations while balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. Experience gained within large-scale, multi-site retail environments will be particularly valuable, as will an ability to influence decisions and develop strategic solutions that improve both commercial outcomes and customer experience. Rail industry experience is not essential. We welcome candidates from a range of retail, hospitality, transport and consumer-facing sectors.
Essential Criteria
- Educated to degree level in business or equivalent retail background.
- Proven extensive experience in a retail management role.
- Significant experience and in-depth knowledge of the Food and Beverage or Retail industry (dependant on vacancy).
- Evidence of meeting profit targets within a competitive environment.
- Knowledge of retail operations, merchandising and store development.
- Experience of managing external clients and stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and good negotiation skills.
Desirable
- Experience of the retail property market.
- Specific product development experience.
- Travel retail experience from either airport or transport hubs.
Category Manager (Retail) in London employer: NETWORK RAIL
Network Rail is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while contributing to vital infrastructure projects in the UK. The supportive culture and commitment to maintaining accurate data ensure that your role as a Data & SharePoint Support Specialist is both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (Retail) in London
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager (Retail) 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 relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to NETWORK RAIL:Don’t forget to personalise your application for NETWORK RAIL! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at NETWORK RAIL
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that NETWORK RAIL offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at NETWORK RAIL and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
