CATEGORY MANAGER / SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER

Wilton Bradley Ltd; Highweek; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilton Bradley Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Category Manager for the Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle category. You will own the commercial performance, product strategy and long-term development, working with leading outdoor furniture manufacturers and the UK/European market to identify opportunities and influence future products.

You will define briefs, develop category strategies, identify sourcing opportunities and bring innovative products to market, shaping supplier relationships and

Qualifications

• Experience in buying, category management, product development, sourcing or a related commercial product role.
• Significant experience within camping, garden, beach or outdoor leisure sectors, with a strong understanding of product trends, customer requirements and market dynamics.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability and ability to interpret sales and market data.
• Passion for consumer products and product innovation.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong Excel and IT skills.
• Experience working with Far East suppliers would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as the category expert for Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle, providing product knowledge, commercial insight and strategic direction across the business.
• Develop and execute category strategies, identifying product opportunities, defining range architecture and positioning products to drive sales growth, profitability and market share.
• Analyse category performance, sales data and market trends to identify growth opportunities and shape future category direction.
• Provide market feedback and consumer insight to manufacturing partners, influencing future product development and innovation.
• Create and own product briefs for new development projects.
• Work closely with Product Developers, Designers and QA teams throughout the product development process.
• Source innovative products and manufacturing partners globally whilst developing strategic supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Contribute to long-term supplier strategy and category roadmaps.
• Deliver category margin, profitability and commercial performance targets.
• Analyse sales trends, forecasts and stock positions to develop purchasing strategies and purchase order proposals.
• Take ownership of category stock investment and inventory health, ensuring appropriate availability whilst optimising stock turn and profitability.
• Work closely with Commercial teams to balance availability, inventory risk and commercial performance.
• Work closely with Sales teams to communicate product features, category trends and customer opportunities.
• Support product presentations and customer meetings, helping showcase new products and category strategies to key retail partners.
• Attend UK and international trade shows, supplier visits and sourcing trips.
• Support the Buying Director and Product Director in shaping long-term category strategy, innovation roadmaps and strategic growth initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to Health & Safety guidelines and undertake any other duties required for the successful delivery of the role.

Skills

Buying

Category management

Product development

Sourcing

Commercial awareness

Tools

Excel

IT skills

Job description

Overview

As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for the commercial performance, product strategy and long-term development of our Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle category.

You will work in partnership with one of the world's leading outdoor furniture manufacturers, acting as the voice of the UK and European market by providing market insight, identifying product opportunities and influencing the future development of products and innovations. You will also work with a wider network of manufacturing partners to develop complementary product ranges and build a market-leading category offering.

Working alongside dedicated Product Developers, you will define product briefs, develop category strategies, identify new sourcing opportunities and bring innovative products to market. You will have genuine influence over the products we develop, the suppliers we partner with and the future direction of one of our most exciting growth categories.

As the category expert, you will also play an important role in supporting our Commercial team. You will help communicate product features, market trends and category opportunities, assist with product presentations to key retail customers and provide the technical and commercial knowledge needed to help secure new business and strengthen customer relationships.

This role combines category strategy, product creation, supplier partnership, customer engagement and commercial ownership, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on both the future of the category and the continued growth of Wilton Bradley.

Responsibilities

• Act as the category expert for Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle, providing product knowledge, commercial insight and strategic direction across the business.
• Develop and execute category strategies, identifying product opportunities, defining range architecture and positioning products to drive sales growth, profitability and market share.
• Analyse category performance, sales data and market trends to identify growth opportunities and shape future category direction.
• Provide market feedback and consumer insight to manufacturing partners, influencing future product development and innovation.
• Create and own product briefs for new development projects.
• Work closely with Product Developers, Designers and QA teams throughout the product development process.
• Source innovative products and manufacturing partners globally whilst developing strategic supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Contribute to long-term supplier strategy and category roadmaps.
• Deliver category margin, profitability and commercial performance targets.
• Analyse sales trends, forecasts and stock positions to develop purchasing strategies and purchase order proposals.
• Take ownership of category stock investment and inventory health, ensuring appropriate availability whilst optimising stock turn and profitability.
• Work closely with Commercial teams to balance availability, inventory risk and commercial performance.
• Work closely with Sales teams to communicate product features, category trends and customer opportunities.
• Support product presentations and customer meetings, helping showcase new products and category strategies to key retail partners.
• Attend UK and international trade shows, supplier visits and sourcing trips.
• Support the Buying Director and Product Director in shaping long-term category strategy, innovation roadmaps and strategic growth initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to Health & Safety guidelines and undertake any other duties required for the successful delivery of the role.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in buying, category management, product development, sourcing or a related commercial product role.
• Significant experience within the camping, garden, beach or outdoor leisure sectors, with a strong understanding of product trends, customer requirements and market dynamics.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability and ability to interpret sales and market data.
• Passion for consumer products and product innovation.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong Excel and IT skills.
• Experience working with Far East suppliers would be advantageous.

Personal Qualities

• Entrepreneurial and commercially minded.
• Curious and passionate about products.
• Creative thinker with strong product instincts.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership.
• Strong problem solver.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Organised and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Why Join Wilton Bradley?

• Opportunity to influence and create products, not simply purchase them.
• Work within a creative and collaborative environment.
• International travel opportunities.
• Exposure to product development, sourcing and innovation.
• Opportunity to grow within a successful and ambitious business.