Junior Category Manager

Junior Category Manager | Clothing, Footwear & Accessories | £28,000 - £32,000 + Benefits | Manchester | Hybrid Working

Requirements:

• Willingness to travel internationally, including the Far East and Europe, as well as within the UK
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities
• Office based 3 days per week
• Experience from a retailer or online brand - must be experienced in clothing, footwear or accessories

The Role:

This is a hands-on, product-focused role sitting at the heart of a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business. Working across multiple categories, you will be responsible for building commercially strong product offers; translating design and development into clear, market-ready ranges that drive sales and growth.

While you won't be responsible for designing the product itself, you will play a critical role in shaping how it is ranged, positioned, and brought to market. You will own your categories end-to-end, ensuring the right products are launched at the right time, in the right quantities, and at the right price.

Collaboration is key as you'll work closely with Product Development, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, Wholesale and Retail teams to deliver cohesive and successful product strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and manage commercially focused product ranges, ensuring strong product offers across key categories and sub-categories
• Define range architecture including price points, fabrications, fit, construction and category mix
• Work closely with Product Development and Design teams to translate concepts into clear, actionable product briefs
• Partner with Sourcing teams and suppliers (particularly across the Far East) to ensure product is delivered to the right quality, cost and timeline
• Lead and support supplier negotiations to achieve target margins and cost efficiencies
• Manage product lifecycle timelines, ensuring all key deadlines are met in line with the corporate calendar
• Own critical path management across product development, ensuring on-time delivery for all launches
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity and customer behaviour within kidswear to identify opportunities for growth and newness
• Build and deliver newness strategies, ensuring ranges remain relevant, trend-led and commercially viable
• Plan and manage buy quantities, ensuring alignment with trading expectations and seasonal demand
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing to support product launches, campaigns and key moments
• Provide samples and product information for key meetings, customer presentations and marketing shoots
• Maintain accurate product data and documentation within PLM systems
• Establish and manage testing requirements to ensure product quality and compliance
• Conduct regular reviews of product performance, identifying opportunities to trade, optimise and drive sales

Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in merchandising, product, buying or sourcing within a retail environment
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to build and trade product ranges effectively
• Experience working with suppliers, ideally across the Far East
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with confidence in planning quantities and pricing structures
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Proactive, "can-do" attitude with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Creative thinker with the ability to spot trends and translate them into commercial opportunities
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams

BH35853