At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive the commercial success of Ribble's bike categories through strategy and collaboration.
- Company: Join Ribble, the UK's leading premium bike brand known for innovation and design excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cycling while working with passionate teams and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or commercial roles, ideally within cycling or sports.
- Other info: Position based at Ribble HQ in Preston, requiring 3-4 days on-site weekly.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
More than just product management; this is an opportunity to drive the commercial success of an entire category within the UK’s leading premium bike brand. At Ribble, we design and build world-class bikes from the ground up. As the Category Manager, you’ll help shape our future, influence NPD, and drive performance through smart pricing, range management and customer-focused positioning. You’ll work closely with our product, design and marketing teams to bring products to life and ensure they hit the mark commercially and with riders. If you know the category, get the customer and have the drive to make great things happen, this could be the opportunity to take your career to the next level.
Location: Ribble HQ, Preston (PR5 8AS), 3-4 days on site per week
Reports to: Commercial and Marketing Director
ABOUT RIBBLE
Ribble Cycles is the UK’s leading premium bike brand with a heritage of innovation, performance, and design excellence. We engineer and manufacture world-class bicycles in the UK, delivering cutting-edge technology and superior craftsmanship to passionate riders globally.
THE ROLE
This pivotal role owns and drives the commercial success of Ribble’s product categories. You blend strategic vision, market and consumer insight, and hands-on execution to deliver a compelling product range, customer experience and exceptional commercial results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Product Strategy & Development: Working closely with Product Design & Development to define the category roadmaps, aligning market trends, consumer insight and Ribble’s brand vision.
- Sales & Margin Growth: Drive category performance by optimising product mix, pricing and promotions to achieve commercial targets.
- Supplier Management: Develop close, collaborative relationships with our partners and suppliers to drive strong commercial outcomes and exceptional service levels.
- Market & Competitor Analysis: Monitor industry trends, competitor activity and customer insights to inform product decisions.
- Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with product design, marketing, supply, digital and operations teams to deliver strong NPD launches and commercial results.
- Inventory & Range Management: Ensure optimal stock levels, working with supply chain teams to balance availability, forward covers and commercial efficiency.
- Customer Focus: Enhance the customer experience through compelling product positioning, clear messaging and ongoing refinement and evolution of the category offering.
ABOUT YOU
- Proven experience in category management, product management or commercial roles.
- Experience within cycling, sports, outdoors or a relevant adjacent category.
- Strong commercial acumen used to finding and delivering incremental sales and profit growth.
- A passion and understanding of the cycling category, market trends and rider needs.
- A balance of strong analytics and data-use with creativity to solve problems and make decisions.
- Engaging in how you communicate and influence within and outside the business.
- Experience in D2C digital – and ideally multi-channel – brand or retail environment.
- A strong, experienced negotiator, used to balancing competing priorities to achieve the right outcome.
- All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are not currently able to offer sponsorship for this role. Proof of eligibility will be required as part of the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
If this sounds like the role for you we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV and a short covering letter to jobs@ribblecycles.co.uk telling us why you’re a great fit.
Category Manager (Preston) employer: Ribble Cycles
Contact Detail:
Ribble Cycles Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (Preston)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Ribble's product range and their unique selling points. Understanding what sets their bikes apart will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their brand vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the cycling community and industry. Attend local cycling events or trade shows to meet potential colleagues and gain insights into current market trends, which can be invaluable in your role as a Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven sales growth in previous roles. Highlight your analytical skills and creativity in problem-solving, as these are key attributes for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for cycling and understanding of rider needs. Engage in conversations about recent trends or innovations in the cycling industry to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager (Preston)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Category Manager at Ribble.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your covering letter, clearly articulate why you are a great fit for the position. Mention your passion for cycling, relevant experience in category management, and how you can contribute to Ribble's commercial success.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Ensure your CV showcases your proven experience in category management or related roles. Include specific examples of how you've driven sales growth, managed product ranges, or collaborated with cross-functional teams.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ribble Cycles
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Make sure you have a deep understanding of the cycling market, including current trends and consumer preferences. Be prepared to discuss how your insights can influence product strategy and development at Ribble.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Demonstrate your ability to drive sales and margin growth through effective product mix and pricing strategies. Bring examples from your past experiences where you've successfully achieved commercial targets.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experiences
Ribble values teamwork, so be ready to share instances where you've worked cross-functionally with design, marketing, and supply chain teams. Emphasise how your collaborative efforts led to successful product launches.
✨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Expect questions about how you monitor industry trends and competitor activity. Prepare to discuss specific tools or methods you use to gather insights that inform product decisions and enhance customer experience.