Strategic Category & Range Planning Lead

MacGregor Black; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MacGregor Black is partnering with a leading UK wholesale and retail organisation to recruit a Category & Range Planning Manager in Greater London. The role leads end-to-end range reviews and implements category plans across multiple product categories, coordinating with Buying, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams.

The successful candidate will translate robust analyses into actionable plans, optimise category performance, and ensure readiness for range changes, product launches and

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Planning, Merchandising, Range Planning, Assortment Planning, Commercial Planning or Category Management.
• Strong understanding of category management, ranging principles and assortment optimisation.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects involving Buying, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert data into clear commercial recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Commercially minded with a strong customer focus.
• Experience within wholesale, convenience, grocery retail or FMCG.
• Exposure to category planning, space planning or merchandising systems.
• Understanding of supply chain, distribution or depot operations.
• Project management qualifications or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual and ad-hoc range review process across multiple categories.
• Analyse customer, sales, category and operational data to support range recommendations and commercial decision-making.
• Partner with Category and Buying teams to develop and execute category and range plans.
• Build and manage detailed project plans, timelines and governance frameworks for all approved range changes.
• Coordinate activity across Buying, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, Depots and Master Data teams.
• Manage product introductions, delists and range transitions, ensuring risks are identified and mitigated.
• Support stock run-down plans, depot readiness and successful onboarding of new products.
• Monitor project delivery, ensuring agreed milestones and implementation timelines are achieved.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews, measuring the effectiveness of range changes and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and meetings to ensure alignment across the business.

Skills

Category Planning

Merchandising

Range Planning

Assortment Planning

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Data Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Job description

MacGregor Black is partnering with a leading UK wholesale and retail organisation to recruit a Category & Range Planning Manager in Greater London. The role leads end-to-end range reviews and implements category plans across multiple product categories, coordinating with Buying, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams.

The successful candidate will translate robust analyses into actionable plans, optimise category performance, and ensure readiness for range changes, product launches and