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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in managing relationships with top brands and optimise category performance.
- Company: Join The Very Group, a family-focused company dedicated to growth and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days holiday, and a £250 benefits allowance.
- Why this job: Develop your skills in a dynamic environment while working with exciting brands.
- Qualifications: Experience with MS Excel and a passion for creativity and innovation.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About us
We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.
About the team
We have three opportunities for Category Assistants across the business
As a Category Assistant at Very, you will have a good level of responsibility and it is a great opportunity if you are looking for development with brand communication and category management.
Category Assistant – Small Domestic Appliances and Floorcare (12 month fixed term contract)
You will have regular communication with brands such as Shark, Ninja, Vax, Dyson and Tower around performance, upcoming opportunities, product launches and deal negotiation.
Category Assistant – Audio and Vision (Permanent)
Our Audio and Vision team covers brands such as Samsung, Hisense, LG and Sony. The team are focusing on a new strategy and your role will be pivotal in curating a credible assortment that our customers love.
Category Assistant – Toys (12 month fixed term contract)
You will get the opportunity to work with some our biggest partner brands such as Lego and Mattel, as well as working with different product types across the Category.
About the role
This role will be suitable for someone who has previous category experience. Our Category Assistant roles allow you to further develop your skills, as you are responsible for dual specialisms of buying and merchandising. It\’ 0s a great opportunity to sharpen up your trading skills and hone your commercial knowledge along the way too!
Relationship building is essential as strong relationships will be required within the immediate team, across the business and with external suppliers.You will work closely with the immediate team (Senior Category Manager, Junior Category Managers, Forecasting & Stock Manager and Category Admin Assistant) to ensure fully aligned across brands and working towards the category\’s strategy
Working cross functionally, the role requires strong engagement and influence with Trading, Marketing, Supply Chain, Pricing and Commercial, in order to support the Category in delivering category objectives and meeting the daily demands of the category.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage relationships with key brands, building strong relationships to maximise commercial opportunities.
- Review performance of category, understand drivers of performance and be able to articulate this well.
- Understand KPIs and their drivers and take action to support delivery of budgets and quarterly plan.
- Managing weekly forecasts & intake plans to maximise availability of the range throughout the season.
- Own the end-to-end product set up process.
- Use of pricing tools daily to ensure we\’re competitive vs the market, make pricing decisions and input supplier funding.
- Maintain an awareness of the market, keeping track of competitor activity and actively looking for ways to drive overall category trading performance.
- Work closely with the category FSM (forecast and stock manager) to ensure the forecast reflects promotional plans to maximise availability and stock efficiency.
About you
- Strong experience with MS Excel.
- Experience within a head office role is desirable.
- Creative, passionate and innovative.
- Positive, driven and brings energy to the role.
- Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
- Champions what is right for the business, team and customer.
Some of our benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
- £250 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 27days holiday + bank holidays
- Udemy learning access
- Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
How to apply
Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.
What happens next?
Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.
You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:
First Stage – a 30 minute initial call with the hiring team to find out more about you and for you to learn about life at The Very Group.
Second Stage – A 1 hour final stage face to face interview with the Hiring Team.
As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
If you\’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.
Equal opportunities
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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Category Assistant employer: The Very Group
Contact Detail:
The Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at The Very Group. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the brands you'll be working with. Knowing the ins and outs of companies like Dyson or Lego will show you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role of Category Assistant. Highlight your experience with category management and relationship building to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at The Very Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Assistant role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in category management and brand communication. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for the role and the company. Share specific examples of how you’ve built relationships and driven performance in previous roles – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Excel Skills: Since strong experience with MS Excel is a must, don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or tasks where you’ve used Excel effectively. We’re keen to see how you can leverage these skills in our fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to our talent acquisition team. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about us while you’re there!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Categories
Before the interview, dive deep into the categories you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with key brands like Shark, Dyson, and Lego. Understanding their market position and recent product launches will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute.
✨Master Your Metrics
Brush up on your knowledge of KPIs and how they drive performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to make informed decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to support category objectives effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Since relationship building is crucial for this role, think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed relationships with suppliers or internal teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you can foster collaboration across departments.
✨Show Your Passion
Bring your energy and enthusiasm to the interview! Share why you're passionate about category management and how you can bring creativity and innovation to the team. A positive attitude can set you apart and show that you're a great fit for the company culture.