Category Manager

Category Manager

Full-Time 34000 - 38000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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Zachary Daniels Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own and drive product ranges from concept to launch, ensuring commercial success.
  • Company: Fast-paced, entrepreneurial UK retailer with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with strong career advancement potential.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping exciting clothing ranges.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail or online environments, particularly in clothing or accessories.

The predicted salary is between 34000 - 38000 ÂŁ per year.

We’re working with a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial business to appoint a commercially driven Category Manager. This is a high‑impact, product‑focused role where you will take full ownership of your categories, shaping ranges, driving performance, and delivering commercially successful product strategies across multiple channels. This is an opportunity to step into a role with real influence, where your ability to plan, build, launch and trade ranges will directly impact business growth.

Key Behaviours

  • Collaborative – builds strong, effective relationships across teams
  • Commercially focused – understands how product decisions impact performance
  • Analytical – uses data to inform and improve outcomes
  • High standards – detail-driven with a focus on execution
  • Proactive – takes ownership and drives results
  • Entrepreneurial – thrives in a fast-moving, evolving environment

This role requires someone who can demonstrate:

  • How you plan and build ranges collaboratively
  • How you launch product successfully and on time
  • How you trade and react in‑season to drive performance

About You

  • Currently operating as a Junior Buyer, Category Manager or Account Manager within a retail or online environment
  • Must have experience across clothing, footwear, or accessories
  • Proven ability to plan, build, and trade ranges end‑to‑end
  • Strong commercial acumen, with a clear understanding of pricing, margins, and range architecture
  • Confident working cross‑functionally to deliver ranges collaboratively
  • Experience briefing product with a clear understanding of costings and target price points
  • Strong analytical skills, comfortable using data to inform decisions
  • Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
  • Confident presenter, able to influence and engage stakeholders

The Role

Sitting at the centre of the product function, you will be responsible for translating ideas into commercially viable, market‑ready ranges. Design and Development will support product creation, but you will own how ranges are built, positioned, priced, and delivered. Your focus is to manage the full product lifecycle, from initial concept and supplier engagement through to launch and in‑season trading, ensuring products land on time, meet margin targets, and resonate with the customer. Working cross‑functionally with Design, Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Marketing, Wholesale and Retail teams, you will ensure alignment across all stages of the product journey.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own the end‑to‑end performance of your categories, from concept to in‑season trade
  • Build and deliver commercially focused ranges aligned to market trends, customer insight, and price architecture
  • Define clear product briefs, including target price points, margins, and product positioning
  • Collaborate closely with Design and Development to bring ranges to life
  • Lead supplier engagement, including sourcing, negotiations, and cost management
  • Develop strong relationships with UK, European, and Far East suppliers
  • Analyse sales performance and take decisive action to optimise trading
  • Plan and deliver seasonal range launches in line with the corporate calendar
  • Present ranges confidently to internal stakeholders and at senior level
  • Ensure all product data is accurately maintained within PLM systems
  • Work across multiple channels and markets, with a focus on building a strong menswear active offer

Category Manager employer: Zachary Daniels Limited

As a leading large UK retailer, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their roles. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Join us in the North West, where your contributions as a Category Manager will directly influence our product strategies and drive business success in a fast-paced environment.
Zachary Daniels Limited

Contact Detail:

Zachary Daniels Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Category Manager. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you can present your story naturally.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager

Category Management
Commercial Acumen
Product Lifecycle Management
Data Analysis
Range Planning
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Supplier Engagement
Negotiation Skills
Presentation Skills
Project Management
Attention to Detail
Fast-Paced Environment Adaptability
Stakeholder Engagement
Trend Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Product: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for product management shine through. We want to see how you can take ownership of categories and drive performance, so share specific examples of how you've successfully launched and traded ranges in the past.

Be Data-Driven: Since this role is all about using data to inform decisions, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. We love candidates who can back up their strategies with solid data insights, so don’t shy away from sharing how you've used data to optimise trading or improve outcomes.

Collaborate Like a Pro: This position requires strong cross-functional collaboration, so emphasise your ability to work effectively with different teams. Share stories that showcase your collaborative spirit and how you’ve built relationships to deliver successful product ranges.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. We’re looking for someone with experience in clothing, footwear, or accessories, so tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect your relevant experience. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!

How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels Limited

✨Know Your Categories Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the categories you'll be managing. Understand current trends in clothing, footwear, and accessories. Be ready to discuss how you would plan and build ranges that resonate with customers and align with market insights.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to demonstrate your ability to use data effectively. Bring examples of how you've used sales performance metrics to inform decisions in previous roles. This will show your potential employer that you're not just commercially focused but also analytical and detail-driven.

✨Collaborate Like a Pro

Since this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, think of specific instances where you've successfully worked with teams like Design, Development, or Marketing. Highlight how you built relationships and drove results together, showcasing your collaborative spirit.

✨Be Ready to Present

As a confident presenter, you’ll need to engage stakeholders effectively. Prepare a mini-presentation on a range you’ve previously launched or a concept you’re passionate about. This will not only demonstrate your presentation skills but also your ability to influence and engage at a senior level.

Category Manager
Zachary Daniels Limited
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