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- Tasks: Drive sales and manage supplier relationships in Gift/Food/Home categories.
- Company: Join a friendly, down-to-earth team at Tong Garden Centre.
- Benefits: Enjoy a bonus scheme, staff discounts, and enhanced holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a key category and shape exciting product ranges.
- Qualifications: Proven buying experience and strong commercial judgement required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and well-being support available.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Based at Tong Garden Centre (with travel to our other sites/suppliers)
Working Hours: Full time; Monday – Friday
Reporting to: Buying Director
We are recruiting for a Category Manager for our Gift/Food/Home categories to join our buying team as part of an exciting shift towards a more category-focused buying structure. This role will play a key part in driving sales, margin and stock performance, while ensuring our ranges are commercially strong, seasonally relevant, and aligned to customer needs across our multi-site business. You will take ownership of your category, leading sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, promotions, and category execution, while developing and supporting your Category Assistant team.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver annual sales, margin and stock targets in line with business objectives.
- Analyse category performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks to shape future plans.
- Develop and implement a category sourcing strategy that drives sales and margin growth.
- Allocate store space and product ranges to maximise commercial potential and seasonal execution.
- Build and maintain strong, ethical and collaborative supplier relationships, protecting YGC’s professional reputation.
- Lead seasonal buying activity (e.g. Christmas, Garden, Furniture) as agreed with the Purchasing Director.
- Manage YGC’s involvement in the Tillington Buying Group, ensuring opportunities and actions are delivered.
- Plan and deliver promotional activity, including loyalty card offers, magazine vouchers and in-store campaigns.
- Work closely with the Group Stock Manager to ensure stock levels support trading and agreed targets.
- Report regularly to the Buying Director on category risks, opportunities and cashflow.
- Monitor competitor and buying group activity, applying insight to strengthen category performance.
- Lead and develop Category Assistants, building capability and contribution within the team.
- Participate in weekly Category Team meetings and monthly Promotions & Loyalty meetings to align priorities.
About You
We are looking for someone with strong commercial judgement, excellent supplier management skills, and a passion for delivering ranges that excite customers.
Essential experience and skills include:
- Proven buying/category management experience in retail
- Strong commercial and financial awareness (sales, margin, stock, cashflow)
- Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating effectively
- Analytical mindset with the ability to use data to drive decisions
- Strong organisation and ability to deliver in a fast-paced seasonal environment
- Confident communicator and team leader
Desirable:
- Experience in multi-site retail or lifestyle/garden centre environment
- Familiarity with buying groups or promotional planning cycles
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key category area within a growing business, with the chance to shape ranges, improve ways of working, and contribute directly to our commercial performance and customer experience.
What perks are also instore for you…
- A GREAT Place to Work: Friendly, fun, and down-to-earth – we cultivate a positive team spirit every day.
- Work-Life Balance: All roles operate within daytime hours – so your evenings stay yours.
- Bonus Opportunity: A Bonus Scheme recognising and rewarding our great business outcomes.
- Up to 33% Staff Discount: Treat yourself to garden and home favourites.
- Free On-Site Parking: Arrive stress-free with plenty of parking.
- GREAT Values & Recognition: We live our values and celebrate yours with monthly awards and shout-outs.
- Monthly Team Engagement Events: From information sharing to free food – we love bringing the team together.
- Enhanced Holiday Allowance: More time off that grows with your length of service, plus the chance to buy additional holiday hours.
- Grow Your Career: We support your development with company-sponsored training to help you flourish in your role.
- Well-being Support to Help You Thrive: Employee Assistance Programme including 24/7 GP access, funeral concierge, and mental health support – we’re here when you need us.
- 5% Pension Contributions: Helping you plant the seeds for a secure future.
- Supporting Causes That Matter to Our Team: Through our Kindness Pot, we donate to charities and local causes close to our team’s hearts – planting seeds of kindness in the community.
Apply today at: Category Manager – Gift/Food/Home Job at TGC (2015) LIMITED. Take a look at our People and Culture page to learn more about what makes us the right next chapter for you!
Category Manager – Gift/Food/Home in Bradford employer: Yorkshire Garden Centres
Contact Detail:
Yorkshire Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Gift/Food/Home in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail, supplier management, and your analytical mindset to show you can drive sales and margin growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Tong Garden Centre.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Gift/Food/Home in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in buying and supplier management, and show us how your skills align with our needs in the Gift/Food/Home categories.
Show Your Analytical Side: We love data-driven decisions! In your application, share examples of how you've used analytics to improve category performance or drive sales. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and commercial awareness.
Be Personable: We’re all about building strong relationships, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for retail and how you’ve successfully collaborated with teams and suppliers in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Yorkshire Garden Centres
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Gift, Food, and Home categories. Understand current trends, seasonal demands, and what competitors are doing. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your analytical mindset and commercial awareness during the discussion.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in managing supplier relationships. Prepare examples of how you've negotiated effectively or built strong partnerships. This will highlight your ability to protect the company's reputation while driving sales.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing stock levels during peak seasons or planning promotional activities. Think through your strategies and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Development
Since the role involves leading a team, prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've developed others in previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've built capability within a team, as this will resonate well with their focus on collaboration.
