Senior Category Manager x2

The role  

We’re looking for a Senior Category Manager to join our Retail Team  

The Senior Category Manager role reports to a Head of Category, working together to deliver the best ranges for our customer and the product strategy by having the right stock in the right place at the right time, as well as operating in the wider Product team structure (eg, Sourcing, Design and Fit & Innovation). There is also wider responsibility to help co-ordinate activity across multiple departments in line with the divisional strategy and to help deliver plans. 

The aim is to deliver a profitable customer centric range and provide day to day administrative support to the category whilst maximising commercial opportunities through the effective management of inventory, driving demand and service through improved availability and forecasting and reducing markdown to maximise profit. 

What will you do as a Senior Category Manager at N Brown? 

• To lead and implement product segment strategies and to maximise performance & KPI’s and coordinating these across multiple departments / product areas. 
• Deputise for the Head of Category whenever required. 
• To manage the product and sourcing elements of the range planning and selection process for their relevant department and co-ordinate across other categories where there are synergies. 
• To ensure that the right level of newness is achieved to create exciting and commercial ranges for relevant customer and brand. 
• To lead and mange a team of Juniors / Assistants on strategic direction for the segment, coach, support and develop the team for delivery. 
• To achieve a bought-in margin (BIM) that supports market competitive prices, sales targets and target achieved margins across the relevant department. 
• To innovate in terms of product opportunity and attributes. 
• To keep abreast of all product, competitive and consumer trends to inform the range planning and selection process. 
• To own related supplier selection and relationships and lead the negotiation process to achieve required cost price breaks at different volume levels. 
• Present weekly trade info within Division and generate performance data for promo activity 
• Build the most commercial range possible to meet and exceed both budget targets and customer expectations using Range Plan & Framework 
• Maximise in season trading opportunities to ensure optimum profitability. 
• Own the critical path to ensure that ranges are built and orders raised to meet all required launch dates. 
• Using the WSSI, monitor our forward trading plans and commitment to ensure optimum stock levels are met and OTB maximised. 
• To lead department plans and ensure relevant communication to suppliers. 
• Cascade and communicate the relevant analysis and data to the team to ensure they deliver optimum availability and service levels. 
• Lead the category, recruit, select and support team members and line manage by setting performance objectives, reviews and performance coach providing clear and constructive feedback in regular 121’s, agreeing training and development plans accordingly.  

KPI’s 

• To inform the cost price, selling price which delivers the BIM. 
• To inform the demand and NAM on the area. 
• To inform the team’s development and performance on the segment. 
• To fully understand and meet the customer needs, increase customer 5-star product reviews whilst driving the customer panel most preferred result. 

What skills and experience will you have?  

• Strong influencing skills 
• Good analytical skills. 
• Creativity. 
• The ability to recognise future trends. 
• Excellent commercial awareness. 
• Communication skills. 
• Confidence and presentation skills. 
• Ability to make decisions under pressure to react to changing commercial and seasonal requirements. 
• Strong data and analytical skills 
• Able to work collaboratively across the product and marketing teams 
• Negotiation skills. 

What’s in it for you? 

• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days 
• Annual bonus scheme 
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave 
• Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate 
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution 
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services  
• A range of financial wellbeing support  
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands 
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts! 
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance 
• Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice  

N Brown – who we are and why work for us? 

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture. 

We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working 

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in.  Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat! 

Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5-days. We don’t have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business. 

Our promise to you: 

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown? 

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!