Category Manager

Job DescriptionRole: Category ManagerWork Type: 12 Month initial rolling contractLocation: Waterloo 2-3 times a week on siteClient: International BrandWhat’s the role?The purpose of this role will be to manage assigned Categories and/or Alliance Partners for the UK business, ensuring the key KPI metrics are met.This will require best-in-class category management skills and the successful candidate will be required to build extensive knowledge of their categories and the wider dynamics of the retail environment.He/she will be expected to define, shape, manage and monitor their categories; working with internal and external stakeholders to optimise an ever-evolving offer whilst delivering against business targets. Pivotal to the role will be interaction with suppliers and partners, negotiating then managing the execution of annual Joint Business Plans.Key role activities and approach:Manage the Category performance and P&L against key KPI deliverables.Thorough analysis and understanding of the category and market dynamics - measuring the category performance and maintaining an optimal balance between the long-term view and business demands of the annual targets.Developing profitable category business plans and ensuring all performance levers are optimized eg range, merchandising, price, promotions, operational excellence etcOwning the relationships and negotiation of trading terms with suppliers or alliance partnersand identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies. Building appropriate JBPs with the supply base.As part of a global business, work collaboratively with the global category management team to unlock broader opportunitiesDevelop and implement appropriate seasonal or event driven activities to maximise incremental sales and revenueEffectively manage relationships with broader stakeholders and other teams within the business to deliver against our objectivesProvide an agile response when required to respond to changing market and business dynamics.What we need from youExperience as a category manager or buyer in a retail environment or experience working with these functions from an alternate background such as an FMCG account manager.Result driven mindset; able to deliver against or support delivery of stretching business targetsProactive in approachStrong commercial acumen, strong understanding of sales, margin and profitability metrics, supported with understanding of all factors that can influence performanceStrong negotiations skillsAnalytical skills, robust analytical skills demonstrable across different tools with high attention to detailA willingness to take ownership to deliver against the targets set.Excellent relationship management skills; able to adapt approach to different audiences or circumstancesStrong interpersonal skills, able to communicate, engage, influence or challenge different stakeholders where requiredCollaborative; able to work across multiple external and internal touch points, an effective team player and contributorAgility, able to respond at speed to changing business demands, reacting to challenging or unforeseen circumstances in a calm and measured manner, solving a problem firsthand if one should ariseResilience, up for a challenge and able to prioritise workload when under pressure from different stakeholdersAttention to detail; ensuring all tasks are accomplished within the appropriate timescales.Please apply to be considered