Assistant Category Manager

The Company: Europe's leading licensed home and lifestyle businesses, are looking to recruit a highly organised and proactive Assistant Category Manager. This role will play a key part in the product development process, assisting with sourcing, sampling, costings, supplier communication, competitor analysis, range planning and critical path management. You will work collaboratively with internal departments including Sales, Design, Merchandising and QA, as well as international suppliers and factories, to help ensure products are developed and delivered on time, to specification and within budget. The successful candidate will be highly organised, commercially aware, detail-oriented and eager to develop a career within Buying, Category Management and Product Development. The role is hybrid, 3 days in the office and 2 from home.

The Role: Support the Senior Category Manager in the development and delivery of commercial product ranges across stocked, ecommerce and customer-exclusive programmes. Sample management from CAD approval and development through to strike off approval with support from Category Assistant. Support day to day management of the critical path, proactively tracking key milestones, highlighting risks and chasing key stakeholders. Assist in researching market trends, competitor products, pricing and new product opportunities. Conduct regular competitor shop reports and online market analysis to identify trends and opportunities. Support the preparation of customer presentations, range reviews and category planning documents. Maintain accurate product information, PLM system, range plans, specifications, costing documents and category reports. Assist in managing product development projects from initial concept through to production approval with a critical path. Liaise with factories and suppliers to obtain quotations, product information, samples and development updates. Support the negotiation process by gathering and analysing costing information and supplier proposals. Assist with maintaining supplier records and documentation. Build strong working relationships with factories and supply partners. This is a cross functional role, the ability to build and to maintain effective professional relationships at all levels of the business is key. Key internal relationships include Category Team, Design team, Merch team, QA team, and Sales team. Key External relationships include Factories and Licensors.

Skills required: Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in Sourcing, Buying, Manufacturing, Category Management and/or Product Development. Experience of price negotiation in a commercial environment. Must have knowledge of Bedding, Textiles and/or the Homewares industry. Commerciality, the knowledge of how to manage costings, ability to develop product to hit different price points and trade the department. Excellent attention to detail when looking at your category and products. Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office packages. Ability to work independently and manage priorities effectively as well as working collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment. Excellent communication skills both written and oral. Experience of working with licensors and the approval process is beneficial. Travel may be required.