Category Manager

Location: London, onsite

Salary: £52,000-104,000

About the Company

Our client is a global supply chain-led technology and e-commerce enterprise, operating cross-border retail, logistics and marketplace services across North America and Europe. The business combines merchandise sourcing, modern warehousing and data-driven digital platforms to help partners improve efficiency, reduce costs and support sustainable growth. The role sits within the international import business and works closely with commercial, marketing and operations teams.

Role Overview

As Direct Procurement Manager, you will grow the international imported-products business by introducing and operating global brands, large retailers and e-commerce platforms. You will own performance against core commercial indicators, including GMV, profit, and net profit, while negotiating commercial terms, securing marketing resources and building a high-performing supplier portfolio.

Key Requirements

• We are looking for a commercially minded procurement leader with strong supplier management and negotiation skills, comfortable operating in a fast-paced, data-led, cross-border retail environment.
• Must-have skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is required.
• 5+ years’ experience in retail, FMCG, import and export trade, or investment-related roles, with clear commercial ownership.
• Proven ability to introduce, onboard, and scale supplier and brand partnerships across international markets.
• Strong commercial negotiation capability – able to agree trading terms, co-develop business plans, and secure supplier cost/marketing support.
• Comfortable managing core performance indicators such as GMV, profit and net profit, and making decisions based on data and insight.
• Strong market awareness and business sensitivity – able to identify opportunities and act quickly.
• Resilient, self-driven and accountable, with the ability to perform under pressure and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Willingness to be based overseas (role duty station is outside China) and travel as required.

• Category experience in golf, fishing gear, outdoor sports, or adjacent lifestyle categories.
• Existing overseas supplier/brand networks and experience managing international stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working with large retailers and major e-commerce marketplaces/platforms (cross-border preferred).
• Track record of building supplier assessment frameworks (performance, compliance, replacement and continuous improvement).

Role and Responsibilities

• Introduce and operate global brands, large retailers and e-commerce platforms to expand the company’s imported products scale and market share.
• Own delivery against daily GMV, profit and net profit targets, monitoring performance and driving corrective actions where needed.
• Negotiate with suppliers, communicate business plans, and create practical marketing and product sales plans to grow revenue and margin.
• Secure supplier marketing resources and cost support to fund promotions, visibility, and conversion improvements.
• Develop new suppliers globally, managing onboarding, contracting and launch readiness.
• Build and maintain the supplier management system, including assessment, replacement, relationship management and long-term partnership development.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align commercial plans with operations, logistics, marketing, and compliance requirements.

Key Performance Indicators

• Growth in imported products GMV and market share within assigned categories/regions.
• Improvement in profitability (profit and net profit) through commercial terms, pricing, and mix optimisation.
• Supplier-funded marketing resources secured and effectively deployed (cost support, co-marketing, promotional funding).
• Number and quality of new suppliers onboarded, including speed-to-market and early trading performance.
• Supplier performance management outcomes – retention of top partners and replacement of underperforming suppliers.

Work Location and Hiring Plan

There are two hires for this position: one based in Europe (United Kingdom or Netherlands) and one based in the United States. This is an overseas duty station role and will require flexibility for international collaboration and travel as business needs dictate.