Assistant Category Buyer - Carp UK and Europe

VanWonen; Rackheath; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount across product range

Hybrid working

Job summary

Angling Direct is seeking an Assistant Category Buyer (Carp) to join the Commercial team. Hybrid role based at Head Office in Rackheath, Norwich, salary circa £28,000 dependent on experience.

You will support category sales targets, manage supplier data, analyse trends and help launch new products while building strong supplier relationships and helping optimise stock.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail, buying, merchandising, supply chain or commercial support.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of category sales, margin and stock targets through range, pricing and inventory management.
• Manage product and supplier information with high accuracy.
• Analyze sales, margin, stock, competitor activity and market trends.
• Support new product launches, range reviews and category development initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and brand partners, coordinating communications and commercial activities.
• Assist with pricing reviews, promotions, negotiations and supplier agreements.
• Raise and manage purchase orders, forward orders and seasonal buying activity.
• Collaborate with Inventory and Supply Chain teams to maximise availability and stock performance.
• Support promotional planning with Marketing, Ecommerce and Retail teams.
• Produce reports and commercial insights for decision-making and category reviews.
• Attend supplier meetings and industry events as required.

Skills

Retail experience

Analytical skills

Organised

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

Job description

Location: Hybrid, Head Office, Rackheath, Norwich

Reporting to: Category Buyer, Carp

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: Circa £28,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Join the UK's Leading Specialist Angling Retailer

At Angling Direct, we're passionate about helping anglers get the most from their time on the bank. As the UK's leading omni-channel fishing tackle retailer, we're committed to providing exceptional products, expert advice and outstanding customer experiences across the UK and Europe.

We are looking for an Assistant Category Buyer (Carp) to join our Commercial team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in buying and category management whilst working within one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the angling industry.

Working closely with the Category Buyer, you will support the delivery of a commercially successful Carp category through effective product management, supplier engagement, stock optimisation and performance analysis. This role provides a clear development pathway into a Category Buyer position for the right individual.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting the delivery of category sales, margin and stock targets through effective range, pricing and inventory management.
• Managing product and supplier information, ensuring data is accurate and maintained to a high standard.
• Analysing sales, margin, stock, competitor activity and market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Supporting new product launches, range reviews and category development initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with suppliers and brand partners, coordinating communications and commercial activities.
• Assisting with pricing reviews, promotions, negotiations and supplier agreements.
• Raising and managing purchase orders, forward orders and seasonal buying activity.
• Working closely with Inventory and Supply Chain teams to maximise availability and improve stock performance.
• Supporting promotional planning with Marketing, Ecommerce and Retail teams.
• Producing reports and commercial insights to support decision-making and category reviews.
• Attending supplier meetings, trade shows and industry events where required.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an organised, analytical and commercially minded individual who enjoys working with data, spotting opportunities and building strong relationships.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience within retail, buying, merchandising, supply chain or a commercial support role.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience using Power BI, Ometria, SAP, Oracle, Epicor or similar business systems.
• Exposure to category management, merchandising or inventory planning.
• Experience within retail, FMCG, sport, leisure or outdoor sectors.
• Knowledge of, or a genuine passion for, Carp fishing and the wider angling market.

What Success Looks Like

• Supporting delivery of category sales and margin targets.
• Maintaining accurate supplier, product and pricing information.
• Delivering successful product launches and promotional activity.
• Producing meaningful insights that support commercial decision-making.
• Building effective supplier relationships.
• Improving product availability and stock performance across the category.

Why Join Angling Direct?

• Be part of the UK's leading specialist angling retailer.
• Work alongside experienced buying and commercial professionals.
• Hybrid working with our Head Office based in Rackheath, Norwich.
• Opportunities for career progression and development.
• Staff discount across our extensive product range.
• A collaborative and passionate working environment built around a shared love of angling.
• Clear development pathway towards a Category Buyer position.

If you're commercially minded, highly organised and looking to build a successful career in buying, we'd love to hear from you.