Category Manager

Super charged national retail brand catapulting further into growth
- Lead one of the most strategic portfolios & international sourcing programs
- Inner South East, flexible working culture, AWESOME offices & fun culture

**What's in this for you?**
- **A role that is much more than just category management. You will have the opportunity to own this 'core' category from start to finish and deliver it into hands of the customer whilst being the 'expert' in leading innovation and product excellence across all aspects**:

- **To go on a career journey of a lifetime within a supercharged retailer about to launch into its next significant phase of growth, development and expansion. The opportunities are literally endless**:

- **Be part of the humble and down-to-earth culture where transparency, hard work, fun and an adventurous spirit is practiced, valued and encouraged**:

- **The opportunity to bring a visionary outlook with executional nous**

**Your prospective employer**:
is a household name. This retail group offers an unrivalled range of products, which sees them owning their market across a diverse customer base. Right from inception their focus has been on being a 'down to earth,' value for money business that sells 'do it yourself' lifestyle products and they are 'smashing it' in their core category. As they launch into their next stage of expediential growth, for their employees they offer career opportunities of a lifetime, and this role is definitely one of them Your remit will be to lead one of the highest profile category portfolios within the group. Now is the time to be a part of this Australian icon

**What will you do in an average week?**
- Lead one of the most strategic international suppliers and category portfolios in the merchandise team, and manage its entire journey from sourcing to 'on the shelf'
- Leverage your merchandise planning skills to develop the buy plan for each of their stores across their large network
- Take the lead on the category development schedule, range review and selection process
- Push the boundaries of excellence by further introducing, developing, and executing first-class category plans, pricing, and product assortments
- Assess innovation from suppliers and private label strategies to ensure your destination category remains competitive with strong brand differentiation
- Manage the promotional programs to ensure that there is a year-on-year growth plan in sales and gross profit
- Identify the 'opportunity buys' and plan these into the promotional schedules
- Lead and manage the strategic relationships with suppliers including negotiations of trading terms, deals, promotional offers and volume rebates
- Importantly, have a 'laugh,' enjoying the culture and all of the opportunities within

**Here's what it will take**
- **You are proven**: You have experience as a Category Manager, Product Manager or Buyer within a retailer or supplier and have well developed merchandise planning skills.
- **Category experience**: This category aligns mostly with the 'hard/consumer goods/general merchandise' categories however all category backgrounds will be considered. (It's the merchant we are looking for vs the category expert)
- **It's a given**: you have skill sets in inventory management, negotiating and building supplier relationships and you are always in it for a 'win-win.' It's however, your 'eye for commercial ranging' and developing solution-based category plans that sets you apart
- **You are innately passionate**: You are a natural go-getter, who has the 'will' and 'want' to make a difference
- **You are authentic and down to earth**: this oozes from your every pore
- **You inspire**: You have drive, determination, and commitment that inspires others, and you are always 'in it for the team'
- **You listen and others listen to you;** your natural style is collaborative