Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Manchester
Online Category Manager (m/w/d)

Online Category Manager (m/w/d) 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 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 on product strategies and business growth.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail or online environments, particularly in clothing or accessories.

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

Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Manchester employer: Zachary Daniels

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 an Online Category Manager will directly influence our product strategies and drive business success in a fast-paced environment.
Zachary Daniels

Contact Detail:

Zachary Daniels Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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. Show them you know their market and can bring value to their team. We want to see your passion shine through!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs. Highlight your analytical skills and commercial acumen – they’re looking for someone who can drive results.

✨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 take that extra step.

We think you need these skills to ace Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Manchester

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

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Product: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for the clothing industry. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed product ranges in the past and how that experience has shaped your approach to category management.

Be Data-Driven: We love a candidate who can back up their decisions with data! Make sure to highlight your analytical skills and provide examples of how you've used data to inform your product strategies and drive performance.

Collaborate Like a Pro: This role is all about teamwork, so don’t forget to mention your collaborative experiences. Talk about how you've worked cross-functionally with different teams to bring ranges to life and achieve common goals.

Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our job description. Use the same language and key phrases we’ve included, and show us how your skills and experiences align perfectly with what we're looking for. And remember, apply through our website!

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, key competitors, and customer preferences. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial acumen and show how you can drive performance.

✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked cross-functionally in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your collaboration with design, merchandising, or marketing led to successful product launches. This will illustrate your ability to build strong relationships across teams.

✨Be Data-Driven

Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in past roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed sales performance and made adjustments to optimise trading. This will showcase your analytical mindset and attention to detail.

✨Practice Your Presentation Skills

Since you'll need to present ranges confidently to stakeholders, practice your presentation skills ahead of time. Prepare a mock presentation about a range you've managed, focusing on how you defined product briefs and engaged suppliers. This will help you feel more confident during the actual interview.

Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Manchester
Zachary Daniels
Location: Manchester

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