Quest Search and Selection
Category Lead
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Head of Category
Quest Search & Selection are looking for a commercially focused Head of Category to join an established retail business. This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for category strategy, product development, range planning, stock, margin and supplier performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the category strategy and budget, delivering against sales, margin, cash and stock targets
- Own the product proposition and ensure ranges are commercially relevant and aligned to the customer
- Lead the sourcing, selection and development of product ranges
- Manage critical paths and ensure ranges launch on time
- Lead and develop the team, building capability, accountability and commercial focus
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and external partners
- Manage third-party warehouse and logistics relationships, including cost and service performance
- Travel to stores, suppliers and trade shows to research trends and source products
- Ensure products meet relevant certification and legislative requirements
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Requirements
To be successful in this Category Lead role:
- Strong experience within buying, category management or product development
- Commercially strong and confident working with sales, margin, stock and KPI data
- Experience developing and selecting product ranges
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
- Proven experience leading and developing a team
- Able to take ownership and become the go-to person for the category
- Confident challenging existing thinking and identifying new opportunities
- Able to make effective commercial decisions quickly
- Experience within home, lifestyle, garden, seasonal, furniture would be particularly relevant
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Benefits
- Car Allowance
- Annual performance-related bonus
- Pension
- Healthcare
- Hybrid working, typically 1–2 days per week in the office
- Regular supplier, store and trade-show exposure
If you are an experienced Head of Category, Category Manager, Senior Buyer or Buying Manager looking for a broader leadership role, please apply today!
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