At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Produce section, innovating and curating top-quality fresh products for London.
- Company: Join Zapp, London's leading premium convenience retail platform, disrupting the market since 2020.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and more perks.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact in the retail space.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management or Buying, strong analytical skills, and a passion for quality produce.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ 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 Category Manager to grow Produce into the standout section of London's best quality catalogue. You will be the commercial engine behind fruit, vegetables and fresh produce, building a range that beats the supermarket on quality and every other rapid delivery app on choice, and keeps getting better.
This isn't traditional produce buying. You will trial new and innovative ranges ahead of the market, stay ahead of what's in season, and push suppliers for the best quality at the best price, all while operating at the pace of a business that restocks in minutes, not days.
Here's What You'd Be Doing
- Own and grow the Produce section: range, quality, price and supplier relationships, with a direct line to what makes London's best quality catalogue.
- Trial new and innovative ranges ahead of the market, backing the products that make Zapp the place Londoners discover something first.
- Stay ahead of seasonality, building the calendar of what's coming so the best of each season lands before anyone else has it.
- Push suppliers for the best quality at the best price, negotiating cost, delivery and payment terms while raising the bar on freshness.
- Turn data into action: know what's selling, what's wasting and what's missing, and use it to keep improving the range.
- Partner with Marketing, Merchandising and Supply Chain so produce availability, freshness and story all land together for the customer.
What We're Looking For
- Experience in Category Management or Buying, ideally in Fresh, Produce or a comparably fast-moving category.
- Strong analytical skills: confident building a business case and pulling insight out of data to drive a decision, not just following one.
- Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace or Excel; experience with BI tools is a plus.
- A genuine curiosity about food and produce quality, and the instinct to spot the next range before customers ask for it.
- High energy and attention to detail: comfortable making quick calls with imperfect information while keeping the details right.
- A tenacious communicator who gets things done with suppliers and stakeholders alike.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 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.
Manager, Category Management / Buying (Produce) 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 Manager, Category Management / Buying (Produce) in London
✨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 Zapp, 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 Zapp!
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Category Management / Buying (Produce) in London
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 Zapp, 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 Zapp 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 Zapp that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zapp
✨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!
