Category Lead in Colchester

Quest Search & Selection are looking for a commercially focused Head of Category to join an established retail business. This is a hands‑on leadership role with responsibility for category strategy, product development, range planning, stock, margin and supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities of this Category Lead role -

• Lead the category strategy and budget, delivering against sales, margin, cash and stock targets
• Own the product proposition and ensure ranges are commercially relevant and aligned to the customer
• Lead the sourcing, selection and development of product ranges
• Manage critical paths and ensure ranges launch on time
• Lead and develop the team, building capability, accountability and commercial focus
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and external partners
• Manage third‑party warehouse and logistics relationships, including cost and service performance
• Travel to stores, suppliers and trade shows to research trends and source products
• Ensure products meet relevant certification and legislative requirements

To be successful in this Category Lead role -

• Strong experience within buying, category management or product development
• Commercially strong and confident working with sales, margin, stock and KPI data
• Experience developing and selecting product ranges
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
• Proven experience leading and developing a team
• Able to take ownership and become the go‑to person for the category
• Confident challenging existing thinking and identifying new opportunities
• Experience within home, lifestyle, garden, seasonal, furniture would be particularly relevant

Benefits of this Category Lead role -

• Annual performance‑related bonus
• Pension
• Hybrid working, typically 1-2 days per week in the office
• Regular supplier, store and trade‑show exposure

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