Category Manager - Sports (21391) in London

It's a really exciting time to be at Holland & Barrett. We are investing across all areas of our business with a vision of empowering our customers to live happier, healthier lives. Our mission is to be the leading player in global wellness chosen by millions as their trusted partner for personalised wellness journeys. To achieve this goal, we are embarking on a radical transformation. We are recruiting top talent in all areas of our business, from Finance to Digital Marketing, from HR to IT, as well as new functions around Health and Wellness.

We have a great opportunity to join our Buying Team at Holland & Barrett International. This will be a hybrid role with a minimum requirement of 2 days based at our Nuneaton (CV10 7RH) Head Office, it will also require regular travel to our London office & test kitchen, supplier manufacturing sites & store visits.  

As a Category Manager you will report to the Senior Category Manager, and will own the product management process of a specialist, market leading retailer – from the drawing board into our customers' hands. 

The successful candidate will be highly driven and tenacious with experience in retail buying.  You will be responsible for developing & executing the strategy for your product areas, you will source and develop product ranges which satisfy our customers' requirements, whilst achieving our company objectives.  

By confidently using your influencing and negotiating skills, both with our supplier base and internally, you'll work strategically to make sure we deliver customer-centric ranges and promotions that meet our financial targets.

Main Responsibilities:

• Continuously reviewing current Category performance and the marketplace, to ensure you understand how your area is trading, and how you can build incremental profitable growth.
• Working with the Own-Label Buying and Product Development Teams, and the supply base, to deliver an innovative and profitable product range to meet customer demand and improve the commercial performance of the Category.
• Lead supplier negotiations and joint business planning for our key strategic partners, ensuring that suppliers meet requirements on margin, marketing support and delivery performance. 
• Delivering range reviews for your category focussed on meeting the evolving needs of our customers whilst meeting commercial objectives.
• Working with the Trade Planning and marketing teams to maximise the success of promotional activity and NPD launches.
• Working with the Digital team to understand our customer behaviour online and tailor purchasing mechanics for trial, conversion & repeat.
• Providing information and analysis to assess levels of slow moving & dormant stock and work with the team to clear. Maintain stock at agreed levels for planned activity and to reduce overstocks

• Experience of Buying or Category Management.
• Good negotiation skills and influencing skills.
• Strong communication and time management skills.
• Track record of working independently.
• Ability to build relationships both with suppliers and internal multi-discipline teams.
• Strong numeracy and analytical ability to find trends and patterns from reports.
• Experience in the Sports sector is preferable.

• Electric Car Scheme.
• Bonus up to 10%.
• Pension company contribution= 5%.
• Your wellbeing is paramount so you can get away and take 33 Days Holiday per year.
• Private Medical Care (Self)
• Learning and Development opportunity with Holland & Barrett is a great base for career development long term.
• Career progression.
• Refer and Earn Scheme- as we're growing you can earn money by referring people to join us from your network.
• Epic Extras gives you access to exclusive benefits, free advice and savings from a range of retailers and providers.
• Stay healthy with Discounted Products - from day one you'll get a 25% discount (on top of other promotions) when you shop at H&B on anything that you buy. 
• We all need a little help sometimes, so we offer Free 24/7 Confidential Advice & Colleague Welfare.
• Mental Health First Aiders- we have lots of qualified Mental Health First Aiders because its all about your health & wellbeing.
• Stay active in the Onsite Gym at our Nuneaton Hub!
• We have colleague Reward and Recognition Schemes, so your hard work and loyalty won't go unnoticed.
• And many more!

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Holland & Barrett is one of the nation's most loved and trusted brands, known for offering quality health food, vitamins and supplements all sold by highly trained and qualified advisors.

Bucking the current trend of high street retailers, we forecast significant growth and expansion plans in the coming years, with considerable investment going into all areas of the business. We certainly embrace change and drive speed in everything we do. Every day presents a different challenge, but every day is also filled with fun, teamwork and passion to succeed and surpass every expectation.

Join us and see how far you can go…