At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage day-to-day operations and drive category growth in the Toys Team.
- Company: Join Very, a digital retailer focused on helping families get more out of life.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days holiday, and a £250 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong Excel skills and experience in merchandising or analytics preferred.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
About us
We’re the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you’re high-performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you’ll enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go. If you love making a difference, you’ll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.
About the team
Join the Toys Team, a fast-paced, high energy and exciting category which requires strategic thinking and success built from strong supplier relationships. In this role, you’ll take ownership of key brands and product areas, playing a central role in shaping the category’s future. A unique opportunity to develop professionally while gaining hands-on experience in a fast-moving and evolving space. You’ll monitor emerging brands, spot market trends, and collaborate across functions to maximize success.
About the role
In this role, you will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, maintaining high standards in data accuracy in order to keep everything running smoothly. You will use pricing tools daily to ensure the category is competitive versus the market - making pricing decisions and evolving product ranges to meet customer needs.
- Own and manage your brands with a strong focus on day-to-day execution and performance
- Take full accountability for product setup, pricing, promotions, and ongoing performance tracking
- Innovate product ranges, drive performance, and fuel category growth
- Spot trends, track emerging brands, and stay ahead of the curve.
- Influence decisions across Trading, Marketing, Supply Chain, Pricing, and Commercial.
- Build strong relationships with leading Toy manufacturers in the industry.
- Confidence in merchandising - daily use of forecasting app, reviewing intake and stock position to align to overall category budgets, weekly conversations with suppliers to monitor and control stock health.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are eager to take ownership, develop key relationships, and drive category success, this role is your next step.
About you
Strong experience with MS Excel
Experience within a Merchandising or Analytical head office role is desirable
Creative, organised and innovative
Passionate, 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
£250 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
27 days holiday + bank holidays
LinkedIn Learning access
Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
Matched pension up to 6%
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 one stage interview process for this position: 1st stage - A one hour face-to-face interview with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience + competency questions. This is also a great opportunity to find out more about the role and to ask any questions you may have.
As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities
We’re building a culture of everyday inclusion, and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We don’t discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you need reasonable adjustments to apply, interview, or perform a role, let us know via talentacquisition@theverygroup.com. We’ll be happy to support you. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine brilliant colleague networks - including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) - that are helping us make Very an even more inclusive place to work.
Category Assistant - Toys in Liverpool employer: Very Group
At Very, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and personal growth. Our inclusive culture fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing you to thrive in a dynamic environment while working with leading beauty brands. With a generous benefits package, including a £1,000 flexible allowance and 30 days of holiday, we empower our employees to achieve their career aspirations and make a meaningful impact for millions of customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant - Toys in Liverpool
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Very Group, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Very Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant - Toys in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Very Group, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Very Group and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Very Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Very Group
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
