At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and success for top beauty brands through analysis and strategic planning.
- Company: Join SEPHORA UK, a leader in the beauty industry with a focus on creativity and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, competitive pay, generous discounts, and a paid day off for your birthday.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and inclusion while enjoying excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of beauty in an exciting retail market.
- Qualifications: Experience in Buying or Category Management, with strong analytical and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Junior Category Manager - Fixed Term Contract until April 2027
At SEPHORA UK, beauty isn’t just what we sell - it’s who we are.
It’s the freedom to express yourself, the thrill of discovering something new, and the power of belonging to a community that celebrates every identity.
From our beginnings in France to becoming part of the LVMH family, we’ve always pushed boundaries through creativity, innovation, and inclusivity.
Today, as we continue our exciting expansion across the UK, we’re looking for passionate, driven individuals to help shape the future of prestige beauty in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets.
The Opportunity – Fixed Term Contract until April 2027
This is an exciting opportunity to join SEPHORA UK in a commercially focused role, where you’ll help drive the performance, growth and success of some of the world’s most loved beauty brands.
Working closely with the Category Manager and Senior Category Manager, you’ll take ownership of a defined brand portfolio, combining commercial analysis, brand partnerships and strategic planning to deliver exceptional results across our omnichannel business.
From product launches and marketing activations to supplier negotiations and performance reviews, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping how our clients discover and engage with our brands, while contributing to the continued growth of SEPHORA UK.
- What you’ll be doing…
- Own and support the performance of a defined portfolio of beauty brands, identifying opportunities to drive sales, profitability and market share.
- Analyse weekly and monthly category and brand performance, translating data into actionable commercial recommendations.
- Build strong relationships with brand partners, leading supplier meetings, tracking performance and supporting joint business planning.
- Develop and execute launch plans, ensuring products are successfully brought to market across stores and digital channels.
- Partner with Marketing, Ecommerce, Retail, Visual Merchandising and Demand Planning teams to deliver impactful campaigns and brand activations.
- Drive the execution of promotional activity, animations and key trading events to maximise client engagement and commercial performance.
- Support forecasting, stock management and new product launches to ensure products are available when and where clients need them.
- Manage digital brand presence, optimising online brand pages and product performance to deliver a best-in-class client experience.
- Negotiate and coordinate supplier support, including sampling, gift with purchase activity and marketing investment.
- Support new store openings, range planning and planogram development to ensure the right assortment is available in every location.
- Prepare commercial insights, reports and presentations for supplier reviews and internal stakeholder meetings.
- Contribute to continuous improvement projects and support the wider Category Management team in delivering strategic business objectives.
- What you’ll bring…
You’ll be commercially minded, analytical and highly organised, with a passion for beauty and a strong ability to balance brand relationships with business performance.
- Proven experience within Buying, Category Management or Brand Management, ideally within beauty, retail or FMCG.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and make informed recommendations.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Confident building relationships and influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
- Experience managing brand partnerships, supplier relationships or joint business planning activities.
- A proactive and solutions-focused approach to identifying risks and opportunities.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy when managing product, sales and performance data.
- Ability to work collaboratively across Ecommerce, Marketing, Retail and Supply Chain functions.
- Passion for the beauty industry and a strong understanding of consumer trends, retail trading and brand building.
- Beautiful Benefits at SEPHORA UK
When you join SEPHORA, you’re joining a team that we truly value and our benefits reflect that. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Private Healthcare, Life Assurance and Private Pension from day one.
- Competitive pay that grows with you, including annual salary reviews.
- A generous employee discount across the world’s best beauty brands.
- A paid day off on your birthday.
- Access to a wellbeing and perks platform.
- LVMH Heart Fund support.
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to buy more.
Together, we belong to something beautiful.
SEPHORA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all.
We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, or other employment practices.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the start of employment and will be asked to provide relevant evidence.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Category Manager - Fixed Term Contract until April 2027
✨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 Junior Category Manager - Fixed Term Contract until April 2027
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 Sephora USA, Inc:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Sephora USA, Inc! 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 Sephora USA, Inc
✨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 Sephora USA, Inc 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 Sephora USA, Inc and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
