Category Manager

Category Manager | Clothing | Large UK Retailer | North West | £34,000 - £38,000 + Benefits | Hybrid Working

We're working with a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business to appoint a commercially driven Category Manager. This is a high-impact, product-focused role where you will take full ownership of your categories,; shaping ranges, driving performance, and delivering commercially successful product strategies across multiple channels.

This is an opportunity to step into a role with real influence, where your ability to plan, build, launch and trade ranges will directly impact business growth.

Key Behaviours:

• Collaborative - builds strong, effective relationships across teams
• Commercially focused - understands how product decisions impact performance
• Analytical - uses data to inform and improve outcomes
• High standards - detail-driven with a focus on execution
• Proactive - takes ownership and drives results
• Entrepreneurial - thrives in a fast-moving, evolving environment

This role requires someone who can demonstrate:

• How you plan and build ranges collaboratively
• How you launch product successfully and on time
• How you trade and react in-season to drive performance

About You:

• Currently operating as a Junior Buyer, Category Manager or Account Manager within a retail or online environment
• Must have experience across clothing, footwear, or accessories
• Proven ability to plan, build, and trade ranges end-to-end
• Strong commercial acumen, with a clear understanding of pricing, margins, and range architecture
• Confident working cross-functionally to deliver ranges collaboratively
• Experience briefing product with a clear understanding of costings and target price points
• Strong analytical skills, comfortable using data to inform decisions
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Confident presenter, able to influence and engage stakeholders

The Role:

Sitting at the centre of the product function, you will be responsible for translating ideas into commercially viable, market-ready ranges. Design and Development will support product creation, but you will own how ranges are built, positioned, priced, and delivered.

Your focus is to manage the full product lifecycle, from initial concept and supplier engagement through to launch and in-season trading, ensuring products land on time, meet margin targets, and resonate with the customer.

Working cross-functionally with Design, Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Marketing, Wholesale and Retail teams, you will ensure alignment across all stages of the product journey.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end performance of your categories, from concept to in-season trade
• Build and deliver commercially focused ranges aligned to market trends, customer insight, and price architecture
• Define clear product briefs, including target price points, margins, and product positioning
• Collaborate closely with Design and Development to bring ranges to life
• Lead supplier engagement, including sourcing, negotiations, and cost management
• Develop strong relationships with UK, European, and Far East suppliers
• Analyse sales performance and take decisive action to optimise trading
• Plan and deliver seasonal range launches in line with the corporate calendar
• Present ranges confidently to internal stakeholders and at senior level
• Ensure all product data is accurately maintained within PLM systems
• Work across multiple channels and markets, with a focus on building a strong menswear active offer