Senior Category Manager (Baby SAS/SIS) at Clicks Group

Introduction

• To develop and execute the category strategy in order to achieve and exceed the category financial targets through rapidly accelerating category depth, strengthen pricing strategy and driving private label and exclusive Brands thereby creating product differentiation and innovation to increase market share and profitability.
• Playing an active role in mentoring and coaching of others.

Job description

• To develop and implement a category plan for specific product ranges to ensure reduced cost of goods, optimise contract terms and increase income, assume responsibility of budget and revenue for category.
• To negotiate favourable trading terms and promotional spend (co-op), actively cultivate, develop and maintain vendor relationships and partnerships to ensure vendor performance and first to market with new product launches.
• To maintain relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products lines.
• To implement a plan that will achieve the Clicks' value proposition through price and promotion whilst achieving promotional sales targets.
• To translate the operating and financial plans into a balanced product assortment and visual on-shelf display to meet the customer’s needs
• To support the sourcing and development of private label products and exclusive brands thereby creating product differentiation, innovation and brand loyalty that will increase market share and profitability.
• To regularly review performance indicators, such as sales, margin and promo quantification, keeping the business updated on financial performance versus market and plan.
• To conduct range reviews, analyse consumer buying patterns, predict future trends and stay abreast with competitor activity.
• To work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including marketing and Clubcard to ensure effective delivery of the operating plan.
• To support both the Merchandise and Graduate Development Programme by playing an active role in facilitating training sessions to embed sound procurement principles and commercial awareness.    

The work streams will include, but is not limited to the following:

• Project managing the roll out and day to day management of Clicks Baby
• Identifying new vendors and source new categories, products whilst extending the existing assortment in line product strategy. Ensure products are loaded in line with critical path
• Negotiating, building and integrating a promotional strategy and calendar for SIS, SAS and Online Baby
• Manage and update showroom ticketing requirements and liaise with necessary stakeholders
• Provide insight into Marketing, Baby Club and Loyalty Club strategies and update team on innovation and key initiatives to drive the product strategy
• Ensuring stock forecasts are agreed with vendors and planners before ordering takes place
• Ensuring planograms, space and in store merchandising is aligned to the product strategy
• Aligning ops and stores with Clicks Baby SOP’s including showroom sample management
• Aligning HR, Sales Advisors and Vendors with training requirements
• Provide day to day support for Clicks Baby store queries and tailored customer requests                                                                                                                              

Minimum requirements

Job Related Knowledge:

• Operating plan development
• Supplier relationship management
• Procurement and Supply Chain
• Business Objectives and Strategies
• Business Processes
• Retail Management
• Market trends and competitor analysis
• Understanding of supplier co-op negotiations and trading terms
• Financial planning and budgets
• Relevant legislation
• Sales Margin Management                                                                                               

Job Related Skills

• Strong Financial/Business acumen with a merchant mindset
• Strong negotiation skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships
• Competency in all computer packages, i.e. Outlook,Excel, PowerPoint
• Verbal and written communication
• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Attention to detail
• Project management
• Training facilitation

Job Experience

• 4-6 years Category Management experience
• 2-3 years People Management experience
• Managing objectives
• Experience with local and global supplier networks

Education

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or similar (Essential)

Competencies

• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Working with People
• Persuading and Influencing
• Analysing
• Learning and Researching
• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations
• Achieving Personal Work Goals and Objectives
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking