At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive brand performance through market analysis, supplier management, and strategic decision-making.
- Company: A thriving wholesale and distribution business with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing team and make a real impact in the FMCG sector.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in procurement or supply chain management.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Vickerstock are working in partnership with a growing wholesale and distribution business who are going from strength to strength and as a result of promotion, now have a Category Manager position available.
As the Category Manager you will be responsible for driving the performance and growth of assigned brands from a procurement and supply chain perspective. The role involves analysing market trends, managing supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, and ensuring optimal product availability and inventory performance.
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (40 hours per week)
- Manage product assortments, pricing, promotions, and inventory levels to maximise brand performance.
- Oversee range reviews, SKU creation, exceptional purchasing requirements, stock rationalisation, and inventory clearance activities.
- Develop and implement brand strategies that support business objectives, revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion.
- Maintain effective brand management processes and tools, ensuring all daily, weekly, and monthly activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
- Monitor brand performance using key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing corrective actions where required.
- Lead and support the Inventory Planner to ensure appropriate stock availability, inventory levels, purchasing routines, and supply chain challenges are effectively managed.
- Work collaboratively to maintain efficient replenishment processes and minimise stock-related risks.
- Analyse market trends, sales data, supplier insights, and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities and potential gaps within the market.
- Use data and commercial insights to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and brand partners.
- Negotiate favourable commercial terms and collaborate with suppliers to enhance product offerings and overall brand performance.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed, data-driven decisions.
- Sound understanding of pricing strategies, margin management, and profitability optimisation.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis capabilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems, and reporting/analytics platforms.
FMCG Category Manager - Grocery & eCommerce in Belfast employer: Vickerstock
Join a leading engineering and manufacturing specialist in County Louth, where your role as an HR Business Partner will be pivotal in driving operational growth and fostering a collaborative culture. With a strong commitment to employee development and wellbeing, the company offers excellent career progression opportunities, a supportive team environment, and a range of benefits including a competitive pension scheme and enhanced annual leave. Experience a positive workplace culture that values innovation and teamwork while making a meaningful impact across multiple sites.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FMCG Category Manager - Grocery & eCommerce in Belfast
✨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 Vickerstock, 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 Vickerstock!
We think you need these skills to ace FMCG Category Manager - Grocery & eCommerce in Belfast
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 Vickerstock, 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 Vickerstock 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 Vickerstock that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vickerstock
✨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!
