Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester
Indirect Category Manager - Commercial

Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 34000 - 38000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Zachary Daniels

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own and drive product categories, shaping ranges and optimising performance.
  • Company: Fast-paced, entrepreneurial UK retailer with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression in a vibrant environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on product strategies and business growth.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.

The predicted salary is between 34000 - 38000 £ 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

Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester employer: Zachary Daniels

Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial team at one of the UK's leading retailers, where your role as an Indirect Category Manager will allow you to make a significant impact on product strategy and business growth. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and professional development, this company offers a supportive work culture that values your contributions and encourages career advancement. Enjoy the benefits of hybrid working, competitive salary, and the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that thrives on creativity and commercial success.
Zachary Daniels

Contact Detail:

Zachary Daniels Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out 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 market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Indirect Category Manager. Use specific examples that highlight your analytical skills and commercial acumen to impress the interviewers.

✨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 take the initiative to engage with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester

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

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Commercial Savvy: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your commercial acumen. We want to see how you understand product decisions and their impact on performance. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate this!

Be Collaborative: This role is all about teamwork, so don’t forget to mention your collaborative skills. Share instances where you've worked cross-functionally to deliver successful ranges. We love seeing how you build strong relationships with different teams!

Get Analytical: We’re looking for someone who can use data to inform decisions. In your application, include examples of how you've used analytics to drive performance or improve outcomes. Show us that you’re detail-driven and can back up your strategies with solid data!

Apply Through Our Website: Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow our process!

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 current trends in clothing, footwear, and accessories. Be ready to discuss how you would plan and build ranges that resonate with customers and drive performance.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to demonstrate your ability to use data effectively. Bring examples of how you've used analytics to inform product decisions in the past. This will show your potential employer that you can make data-driven choices that impact business growth.

✨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.

✨Be Ready to Present

Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. You might be asked to present a range concept or a trading strategy during the interview. Make sure you can engage stakeholders and convey your vision effectively.

Indirect Category Manager - Commercial in Manchester
Zachary Daniels
Location: Manchester

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