Head Of Category

Currys PLC; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology retailer in the UK is seeking a Head of Category to develop strategies, lead a senior team of buyers, and drive performance. The role requires extensive experience in buying within fast-paced environments, excellent negotiation and analytical skills, and the ability to foster inclusion and empowerment within teams. Benefits include a competitive pension scheme and hybrid working arrangements, meeting in person 2–4 times per month.

Benefits

25 days annual leave and competitive pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Colleague discounts on Tech

Access to Champion Health wellbeing app

Qualifications

• Experience meeting deadlines and managing critical paths.
• Ability to analyze data and provide actionable recommendations.
• Leadership experience in fostering inclusion and empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the category strategy.
• Own squad performance and drive accountability.
• Lead supplier strategy and partner with key suppliers.

Skills

Extensive buying experience within a fast-paced retailer

Advanced negotiation skills

Strong judgment and decision-making

Excellent numerical and analytical skills

Change-driving initiative

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Leadership experience

Job description

Head of Category

Currys London Campus at Waterloo – Fixed Term Contract (12 months) – Full Time – Grade 6

At Currys we’re united by one passion: to help everyone enjoy amazing technology. As the UK's best‑known retailer of tech, we’re proud of the service our customers receive.

The Head of Category will lead a senior team of buyers and drive go‑to‑market strategies that close out the current financial year successfully while setting robust plans for continued success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the category strategy, aligned with company guiderails and financial deliverables.
• Own squad performance, anticipate risk and opportunity, resolve issues, and build accountability.
• Lead and develop the squad, fostering a collaborative culture and engagement.
• Drive a growth mindset, exceed KPIs and maintain competitive advantage.
• Understand category profitability, work with finance to improve EBIT.
• Develop and lead supplier strategy, partner with key suppliers.
• Obsess over customer experience, use insight and data for robust decisions.
• Support central planning, ensure squad meets critical path and quality.
• Build team engagement and simplify workplace processes.
• Recruit, develop and succession‑plan for the talent pipeline, embracing diversity.

Required Skills & Experience

• Extensive buying experience within a fast‑paced retailer (FMCG/Fashion or Hard Goods).
• Advanced negotiation skills, managing supplier partnerships at all levels.
• Strong judgment and decision‑making for category actions.
• Customer champion with commercial awareness of customer needs.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills to analyze data and provide actionable recommendations.
• Experience meeting deadlines, managing critical paths, and making fast decisions.
• Change‑driving, inspiring new initiatives across the business.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Leadership experience with senior buyers, fostering inclusion and empowerment.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holiday entitlement) and a competitive pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Colleague discounts on Tech with Currys & iD Mobile.
• Access to Champion Health wellbeing app.
• Hybrid working – meet in person 2–4 times per month.

We are committed to inclusion and diversity. Every voice has a space at our table. If you need additional assistance with your application, please let us know – we’ll do our best to help.

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