At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category management and build supplier relationships to drive growth at Zapp.
- Company: Join Zapp, London's top premium convenience retail platform, disrupting the market since 2020.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of convenience retail and make a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading category management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Location: Nine Elms, London | Full-time
About Zapp
Zapp is London's leading premium convenience retail platform. Founded in 2020, our vision is to disrupt the multi-trillion dollar convenience retail market, currently dominated by major players, by developing best-in-class customer-centric technology and fulfilment solutions. Zapp partners with some of the world's leading brands to deliver an exclusive range of hand-picked products 24/7, delivered in minutes.
The Role
We are looking for a Director of Category Management to build the growth engine behind Zapp's range: a role that sets the direction, catalogue and assortment strategy, and gets sharper as we scale rather than just keeping pace with it. You will build the long-term supplier onboarding platform and strategy that lets us bring on great brands faster, and own the supplier relationships and commercial agreements that fund the range's growth. Every range and pricing call should start from the same place: what makes a Zapp customer order again tomorrow.
This is a role for someone who wants to build, not just run. You will turn category management from a series of individual calls into a system that scales, freeing up headroom to take on more of the range as it grows rather than spending your time putting out fires. You will run the team shaping category strategy day to day, build the supplier network Zapp needs for its next phase, and work closely with Marketing, Merchandising, Finance and Supply Chain to keep pushing the range further ahead.
Here's What You'd Be Doing
- Set the direction of the team and the assortment strategy behind Zapp's catalogue, deciding what we range next and why, and building the people who will take it further.
- Set the targets that matter: define the goals and KPIs for range, quality and margin, and hold the team accountable to them quarter after quarter.
- Build the long-term supplier onboarding platform and strategy, turning supplier acquisition into a growth engine rather than a bottleneck.
- Own the supplier relationships and commercial agreements across the network, negotiating cost, terms and rebate in a way that funds growth and protects the brand experience.
- Build the systems and processes that let Category Management scale with the range rather than with headcount, freeing the team's time for the next big range decision, not the last administrative one.
- Drive the best assortment in London: spot the gaps before competitors do, back the ranges customers will want next, and keep the catalogue moving forward.
- Get into the detail and turn it into an edge: know what's working and what's failing at SKU level, and use it to find the next opportunity, not just fix the last problem.
- Stay customer obsessed in everything you do: let what's best for the customer, not just what's easiest to buy, decide what makes the cut in the catalogue.
- Partner closely with Marketing, Merchandising, Finance and Supply Chain so range, pricing, promotion and availability move together as one growth plan.
What We're Looking For
- Substantial experience leading Category Management, Buying or Commercial teams at scale, ideally somewhere that grew fast.
- A track record of owning supplier relationships and commercial agreements as a growth lever, not just individual negotiations.
- Experience building scalable supplier onboarding processes or platforms.
- A builder's mindset: comfortable replacing ad hoc processes with systems that scale, rather than getting faster at working around them.
- Strong analytical fluency: confident interrogating data in BI tools, Sheets or SQL and building the business case behind a range or pricing decision.
- A genuine curiosity about product and quality, and the instinct to spot what London's best customers will want next.
- Proven cross-functional leadership across Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and Merchandising.
- A tenacious communicator who gets things done with suppliers and stakeholders alike.
Benefits
- Competitive salary & equity package.
- Enjoy 25 days of holiday per year (plus all bank holidays).
- Private Health Insurance.
- Zapp Credit for testing the Zapp service and experience.
- Lunch provided 4 days of a week at HQ.
- Extended sick pay and maternity/paternity leave pay.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Director, Category Management / Buying in London employer: Zapp
Zapp is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Nine Elms, London, where innovation and growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including private health insurance and generous leave policies, Zapp fosters a culture of collaboration and high performance, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the convenience retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Category Management / Buying in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Director, Category Management / Buying at Zapp!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Zapp or be willing to refer you for that Director, Category Management / Buying position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Zapp who’s on the lookout for their next Director, Category Management / Buying star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Director, Category Management / Buying role at Zapp!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Category Management / Buying in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Zapp. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zapp
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Zapp. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
