Category Manager- Beauty Cosmetics Retail Watsons

Overview Of The Role

The job holder is responsible for supporting the Head of Commercial with the development of the category to maximize sales and gross margin objectives while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth across all markets.

What You Will Do

• Develop implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions pricing, and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies that are relevant to the category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practices with peers and other stakeholders.
• Work with Exclusive Brands to develop and deliver exclusive products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
• Working in partnership with the planning team, agree to a merchandising strategy that drives and delivers the right range in the right store; ensures availability in the store; and controls slow-moving stock.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable, and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
• Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximizes profitability. Operate within the Company pricing strategy.
• Working with the Planning team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customer’s needs.
• Develop effective internal working relationships with cross-functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance
• Develop build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Watsons proposition and meet customer needs.
• Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business. Category expert utilizes and continually develop knowledge of category products, competitors, and market activity to deliver increased category performance objectives.
  

Required Skills To Be Successful

• Strong analytical skills
• Very strong commercial awareness and creative skills.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Decisive and able to work in a super fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Display delegation skills, priorities within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
• Practice excellent time management skills and ability to cope under pressure
  

What Equips You For The Role

Minimum Qualification and Knowledge

Education : Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 6-7 years experience as a buyer in a retail environment
• Minimum 2 years experience in a Cosmetics industry buying role
  

Behavioral Competencies

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions
• Act with integrity and respect
• Adapt to changes required by the business
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage promptly and independently also unexpected events and issues
• Ability to identify priorities and organize and plan activities to ensure proper and timely execution
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Able to travel