At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of workwear by developing innovative product ranges.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on product excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Influence a growing category and collaborate with talented teams globally.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or product development, strong analytical skills, and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Ready to shape the future of workwear? If you're passionate about product, thrive on turning market insight into commercial success, and love seeing your ideas come to life, this could be your next move. We're looking for a talented Category Manager to take ownership of a growing professional workwear category, driving product development from concept to customer while balancing innovation, quality, margin, and market demand.
What you'll be doing
- Develop and build market-leading workwear ranges
- Research industry trends, competitor activity, and customer needs across the UK and Europe
- Work closely with design, development, technical, sales, and sourcing teams to bring products to life
- Source and develop innovative fabrics and materials that perform in demanding environments
- Manage product costing, margin targets, and supplier negotiations
- Travel to factories, fabric mills, and trade shows across Europe and Asia
- Use sales and stock data to make informed commercial decisions
- Present new ranges confidently to internal stakeholders and customers
What we're looking for
- Experience within buying, category management, product development, or sourcing
- A strong understanding of garment construction, fabrics, and performance standards
- Experience working with overseas suppliers and manufacturing partners
- Excellent analytical skills and confidence working with data
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Experience within workwear, PPE, outdoor clothing, technical apparel, or a similar product category would be highly advantageous.
Why you'll love it
- This is an opportunity to join a business where product sits at the heart of everything they do.
- You'll have the chance to influence a growing product category
- Work with international suppliers and manufacturing partners
- Travel across Europe and Asia
- Bring innovative products to market
- Collaborate with talented teams across design, development, sales, and sourcing
- Make a genuine impact on commercial performance
If you're commercially minded, product obsessed, and excited by the challenge of building great ranges that customers love, we'd love to hear from you.
Category Manager in Edinburgh employer: Zachary Daniels
Join a dynamic team in Manchester where innovation and collaboration drive success in the professional workwear sector. As a Category Manager, you'll enjoy a vibrant work culture that values creativity and commercial acumen, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth. With access to international suppliers and the chance to travel across Europe and Asia, this role offers a unique platform to make a significant impact on product development and market performance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Edinburgh
✨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 Zachary Daniels, 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 Zachary Daniels!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Edinburgh
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 Zachary Daniels, 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 Zachary Daniels 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 Zachary Daniels that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels
✨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!
