At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth through strategic planning, merchandising, and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join Shell, a leader in energy transition and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on sustainability and growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or wholesale, strong negotiation skills, and analytical mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
What’s the role
As a Category Manager, you will take ownership of defined product areas, delivering category growth through best-in-class category management. This includes developing and executing range plans, merchandising, pricing, and promotions.
What you’ll be doing
- A key focus of this role will be building strong partnerships with major branded suppliers, negotiating trading plans and delivering joint business initiatives that unlock mutual growth.
- Own category performance, delivering against sales, margin and profit targets.
- Analyse performance data and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
- Develop and implement category plans across range, merchandising, pricing and promotions.
- Build and manage relationships with large, branded FMCG suppliers.
- Lead commercial negotiations and manage joint business planning activities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver category initiatives effectively.
- Adapt quickly to changes in market dynamics and customer behaviour.
What you bring
- We’re looking for a commercially astute individual with experience in a Retail / Wholesale environment, ideally with exposure to high-volume, impulse-led categories.
- Experience as a Category Manager / Buyer.
- Proven experience working with large, branded suppliers in a commercial setting.
- Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Solid understanding of sales, margin and profitability drivers.
- Analytical capability with the ability to turn insights into action.
- A proactive, results-driven mindset with strong ownership.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities.
What we offer
- You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet.
- You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another.
- You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.
- Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
- Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
- Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
- Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
- Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
- Benefit from a range of flexible working options.
- Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase.
- Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
- Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world.
- Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams.
- Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.
We are committed to attracting a broader and more diverse pool of candidates. If this position doesn’t feel like the perfect fit for your qualifications right now, we’d still love to hear from you.
Shell is working to advance an inclusive, psychologically safe and accessible environment where people with disabilities can excel. If you require any accommodations or accessibility adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know when prompted in your application.
Category Manager employer: Oman Shell
At Shell, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. As a Category Manager, you will not only drive category growth but also benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us in shaping the future of energy while enjoying competitive compensation and a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work with FMCG suppliers. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that online assessment! Shell uses HireVue, so practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your analytical skills and negotiation prowess. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your results-driven mindset! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven category growth or improved supplier relationships. Numbers speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Shell.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail or wholesale environments, especially with large branded suppliers. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements and how they relate to category management. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since the role involves analysing performance data and market trends, make sure to highlight any relevant analytical experience. We want to know how you turn insights into action, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll receive all the necessary info about the next steps, including the online assessment from Shell.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oman Shell
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key performance metrics related to sales, margin, and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive category growth in previous roles.
✨Build Supplier Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with large branded suppliers, think of examples where you've successfully built and managed these relationships. Prepare to share specific negotiation tactics that have led to successful outcomes in your past experiences.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with current market trends and consumer behaviour in the retail sector. Be prepared to discuss how you would adapt category plans based on these insights, showcasing your proactive approach to category management.
✨Collaborate Effectively
This role requires cross-functional collaboration, so think about times when you've worked with different teams to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills and how they helped facilitate successful joint business initiatives.
