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- Tasks: Assist in managing toy categories and build relationships with top brands like Lego and Mattel.
- 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 making a real impact in the toy industry.
- Qualifications: Experience with MS Excel and a passion for creativity and innovation.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ 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
Category Assistant – Toys (12 month fixed term contract)
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.
You will get the opportunity to work with some of 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\’s 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
- 27 days 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 - Toys (12 month fixed term contract) employer: Very Group
Contact Detail:
Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant - Toys (12 month fixed term contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research The Very Group and their values. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your past experiences relate to the role of Category Assistant. Be ready to discuss your skills in Excel, relationship building, and category management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant - Toys (12 month fixed term contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Category Assistant role. Highlight any previous category experience and your proficiency with MS Excel, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about toys and how you can contribute to our team. Show off your creativity and enthusiasm – we love that!
Showcase Relationship-Building Skills: Since relationship building is essential for this role, mention any relevant experiences where you've successfully managed relationships with brands or teams. We want to see your collaborative spirit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining The Very Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Very Group
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, do your homework on the key brands you'll be working with, like Lego and Mattel. Understand their product lines and recent trends in the toy industry. This will show your passion for the role and help you articulate how you can contribute to the category.
✨Master Your Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the category. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data in previous roles to drive performance. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.
✨Build Relationships
Since relationship building is crucial for this role, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with teams or external partners. Highlight your communication skills and how you can foster strong relationships within the team and with suppliers.
✨Show Your Energy
Bring your positive energy to the interview! The Very Group values a driven and passionate attitude. Share stories that showcase your creativity and innovation, especially in fast-paced environments, to illustrate that you’re the right fit for their dynamic culture.
