Senior Category Manager - Lifestyle and Performance Sports

• A blended role, supporting buying, merchandising and allocation teams.
• Work with a leading lifestyle and performance sportswear brand.

About Our Client

This is an opportunity to work with a well-established lifestyle and performance sportswear brand in the retail industry. The company that values precision and efficiency in its operations while maintaining a strong focus on delivering quality products to its customers.

Job Description Financial & OTB Support

• Support manager on the creation of financial plans aligned with seasonal ranges and commercial goals.
• Contribute to set sales and stock targets.
• Assist in maintaining OTB and inventory plans.
• Update rolling forecasts and provide insights to support trading decisions.

Assortment Planning

• Assortments development by channel and geography.
• Provide hindsight analysis to inform OTB and future range planning.
• Brief Merchandising and HQ on consumer needs.
• Contribute to VM and space planning criteria.
• Maintain the Store Profiling database and sample management.
• Provide analysis to support line development.

Allocation, Replenishment & Trading

• Execute allocation and replenishment strategies to ensure optimal stock flow.
• Monitor in season performance and highlight risks and opportunities.
• Support strategies to improve full price sell through.
• Participate in trading reviews and follow up on actions.
• Collaborate with Logistics to ensure product availability.

Systems & Process

• Ensure accuracy of MDM and system data flows.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and increase efficiency.

Analysis & Reporting

• Produce weekly and seasonal reports on KPIs, stock levels, and sell through.
• Provide data driven insights to support decision making.

Cross Functional Communication

• Maintain effective communication with Merchandising, VM, Retail, Logistics and Marketing teams.
• Support alignment across product, stock, and trading activities.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Senior Category Manager should have:

• +7 years in merchandising, buying, planning, or allocation.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Good understanding of merchandising and allocation processes.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Previous experience in fashion is a must.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast paced environment.

What's on Offer

• Permanent position in a reputable retail organisation.
• Hybrid working.
• Opportunities for career progression within the company.
• Work in a collaborative and supportive environment.
• Located in Central London.