Category Manager - Beauty

HOLLAND AND BARRETT; Nuneaton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health and wellness retailer in the United Kingdom is seeking a skilled trader to manage category strategies and optimize promotions. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial trading experience, the ability to negotiate effectively, and a data-driven approach to decision-making. This role offers numerous wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a health cash plan and various learning opportunities, while promoting an inclusive workplace culture.

Benefits

Health Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Private Virtual GP

FREE at-home blood test kit

Holiday Purchase option

Pension Contribution

Access to 'Wellhub'

Qualifications

• Experience in retail buying or category management preferred.
• Ability to build rapport with suppliers and teams.
• Confident decision-making skills and autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Build category strategy using market data and insights.
• Negotiate with suppliers for better margins and support.
• Lead promotional planning to drive profitable growth.
• Manage inventory to prevent stockouts and excess.
• Develop and lead a team to achieve results.

Skills

Commercial trading experience

Negotiation skills

Ability to use data for decision making

Strong communication skills

Job description

Beauty is transforming fast, and we're looking for someone with strong commercial trading experience to keep that momentum moving. Our "inside-out" strategy - pairing high-performance skincare with ingestible beauty - has already delivered a 7% sales uplift in recent trials and brought leading brands like Cetaphil, Aveeno, and Noughty into the range.

In this role, you'll be a driving force for day-to-day trading: optimising promotions to drive incremental sales, managing supplier relationships to unlock stronger terms, and executing new launches that keep us winning in one of retail's fastest-growing categories.

If you're a sharp trader who wants to make a measurable impact from day one, this is for you.

The Role

What you'll actually be doing?

• You'll build a category strategy using data, insights, and your market knowledge.
• Keep an eye on performance and tweak things so we hit revenue and margin targets.
• Negotiate with suppliers - margin, marketing support, delivery performance, the works.
• Lead promotional planning and make sure it drives profitable growth.
• Review ranges so they meet customer needs and keep us ahead of the curve.
• Work with marketing, trade planning, and digital teams to make launches and promos land.
• Manage inventory smartly so we never run out of key items and never end up storing products that just sit in a warehouse.
• Lead and develop your team - because great results come from great people.

How we'll know you're delivering

• The numbers will tell us. Revenue, margin, stock levels, supplier performance, and how well your promotions and ranges land with customers. If those look good, you're doing your job well.

The Person

What you'll need to bring

• You've done proper trading in retail buying or category management. If it's been in Beauty, even better (but not essential).
• You know how to negotiate in a way that keeps suppliers engaged and onside.
• You communicate well and handle your time in a way that keeps things moving.
• You can make decisions with confidence and autonomy - and you're comfortable owning your calls.
• You use numbers to guide smart trading decisions, not just to make presentations look pretty.
• You get on well with suppliers and internal teams - it comes natural for you to build rapport.

WHAT WE OFFER

Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits

• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Private Virtual GP
• FREE at-home blood test kit
• Holiday Purchase option
• Pension Contribution
• Access to 'Wellhub' with gyms, studios and wellbeing apps

Discounts & Savings

• 25% Colleague Discount with FREE Standard Delivery
• Exclusive Discounts from a wide range of partners
• £/€50 Annual Product Allowance to spend in store

Learning & Development

• Access to a variety of learning opportunities, including Level 2-5 Apprenticeships, Workshops and our Digital Learning Library
• AND MORE!

Holland and Barrett is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We understand that when our colleagues are listened to, respected and valued for who they are, we build an organisation with belonging at its heart - making health and wellness a way of life for everyone.

Holland & Barrett does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Please do not forward resumes to our job alias, employees, or any other company location. Holland & Barrett is not and will not be responsible for any fees if a candidate submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless otherwise agreed with respect to specific open position(s).