At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying and category strategy for cosmetics, fragrance, and travel essentials.
- Company: Fast-paced, international travel retailer with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Salary up to £55,000, hybrid working, and exposure to a global business.
- Why this job: Shape and influence category performance in an exciting retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Category Manager or Buyer, strong commercial skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work cross-functionally and drive data-led decisions.
Zachary Daniels is partnering with a fast-paced, international travel retailer to recruit a Category Manager to lead buying and category strategy across cosmetics, fragrance and travel essentials. This role offers hybrid working and the opportunity to operate in a dynamic, commercially driven travel retail environment.
As Category Manager, you'll take full ownership of your categories, driving range strategy, supplier performance, and commercial results across a travel retail estate.
- Owning end-to-end category strategy across cosmetics, fragrance and travel essentials
- Building and managing compelling ranges tailored to the travel consumer
- Leading supplier negotiations, joint business planning and trading terms
- Driving sales, margin, and stock performance through data-led decisions
- Working cross-functionally with merchandising, supply chain, marketing and operations
- Identifying trends, gaps and new opportunities within the travel retail space
- Managing promotional activity and new product launches
We're looking for a commercially strong Category Manager or Buyer who thrives in a fast-moving retail environment. You'll bring:
- Proven experience as a Category Manager or Buyer within retail or FMCG
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills
- Experience managing branded categories, with beauty or FMCG experience highly desirable
- A data-driven approach with strong analytical capability
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and external suppliers
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
Salary up to £55,000. Exposure to a dynamic, international travel retail business. Real opportunity to shape and influence category performance.
If you're a commercially minded Category Manager looking to step into a unique and exciting retail environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Category Manager employer: Zachary Daniels
Contact Detail:
Zachary Daniels 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 industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to walk in with insights about their category strategy and how you can contribute. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. We suggest role-playing with a friend to get comfortable with those tough conversations.
✨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 and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in managing categories, especially in cosmetics or FMCG, and showcase your commercial skills. We want to see how you’ve driven sales and performance in previous roles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this fast-paced environment. Share specific examples of your negotiation successes and how you've used data to make impactful decisions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires a data-driven approach, don’t forget to mention any tools or methods you’ve used to analyse market trends and performance. We’re keen to see how you’ve turned data into actionable insights that have led to successful outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the categories you'll be managing. Understand the latest trends in cosmetics, fragrance, and travel essentials. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially in retail or FMCG. Be ready to discuss how you achieved favourable terms with suppliers and how those decisions impacted sales and margins. This will highlight your commercial acumen.
✨Data is Your Best Friend
Brush up on your analytical skills! Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Whether it's identifying trends or managing stock performance, demonstrating a data-driven approach will set you apart.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams
Think about times when you've collaborated with merchandising, supply chain, or marketing teams. Share specific examples of how you worked together to achieve common goals. This shows that you can thrive in a dynamic environment and are a team player.