At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and performance, maximising sales and profitability.
- Company: Join a successful, family-owned multinational business in the retail sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical, pension, and 30 days' holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and mentorship within a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the pet category and shape the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and excellent negotiation abilities.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: GBP55000 - GBP60000 per annum + Benefits package
Are you an experienced Category Manager, Buyer or Commercial professional ready to take ownership of a high-growth category and make a real commercial impact? This is an exciting opportunity to join a large, successful, family-owned multinational business and play a key role in shaping the pet category for retailers across the UK.
The opportunity
As Category Manager, you'll have end-to-end ownership of category strategy and performance, developing plans that maximise sales, margin and profitability while delivering the right range and value for customers. You'll work closely with major suppliers and internal stakeholders, using market insight and commercial expertise to shape ranging, pricing, promotions and supplier investment. You'll also mentor and develop Category Assistants, giving you the opportunity to build your leadership experience while making a visible contribution to the wider commercial team.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Developing and delivering category strategies and plans
- Owning ranging, pricing and promotional activity
- Maximising sales, margin, retail POR and cash profit
- Building strong supplier relationships and Joint Business Plans
- Negotiating supplier funding for marketing, media and promotional initiatives
- Analysing category, market and promotional performance to identify opportunities
- Managing range development, identifying gaps and strengthening the overall customer proposition
- Developing the right balance of branded and own-brand products
- Planning seasonal promotions and key commercial initiatives
- Maximising product availability across your categories
- Working closely with internal and external stakeholders
- Mentoring and developing Category Assistants
- Driving continuous improvement and delivering commercially successful outcomes
What you’ll bring
We're looking for a commercially driven professional with significant experience in FMCG wholesale or retail, ideally within buying, sales or category management. You'll bring:
- Proven experience developing and delivering category strategies and promotional plans
- Strong commercial judgement and analytical skills
- Excellent negotiation and influencing ability
- Tenacity, confidence and determination to achieve commercial results
- Strong supplier and stakeholder relationship-building skills
- Experience analysing market, category and performance data
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- A genuine commitment to continuous improvement
This is an opportunity to move beyond simply managing a category. You'll have genuine ownership, influence and accountability, working with suppliers and internal teams to shape the future of an important and evolving market. You’ll join an established and growing international organisation with a strong family-owned heritage, a diverse portfolio of businesses and operations across the UK and internationally.
In return, you'll have the opportunity to develop your career, influence commercial strategy, build strong supplier partnerships and see the direct impact of your work.
The package
- 30 days' total holiday including bank holidays
- Private Medical
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Onsite parking
You don't need to tick every box. If you have most of the relevant experience and are ready for a role where you can genuinely influence category performance and make your mark, we'd love to hear from you.
Location: Huddersfield
Category Manager - Retail in Huddersfield employer: White Recruitment
Join a pioneering renewable energy company in Appleby-in-Westmorland, where your leadership as Operations Director will directly contribute to the UK's low-carbon heating transition. With a strong focus on employee development and a culture of continuous improvement, you will enjoy competitive benefits including a generous salary, car allowance, and significant influence over business strategy. This is not just a job; it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly growing sector dedicated to sustainability and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Retail in Huddersfield
✨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 White Recruitment, 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 White Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Retail in Huddersfield
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 White Recruitment, 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 White Recruitment 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 White Recruitment that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at White Recruitment
✨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!
