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Are you looking for an opportunity to grow your career in commercial / buying? Would you enjoy the pace and energy of a retail environment which is collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive where people feel part of a winning team?
About the Role
Wickes are a leading multichannel retailer and we are looking for a Junior Category Manager to join our established team. This is a genuine opportunity to develop your career in commercial. You will support the development and delivery of the category strategy working with our category teams on all aspects of our products’ journeys - from their original source anywhere in the world, right through to the shelves in our stores.
Activities within the role are varied, but this role offers direct experience within the Customer and Category Teams, providing the opportunity to take ownership of many aspects of the category and buying process including range reviews and the category communication process.
This is an opportunity to learn all of the skills required to develop into a Category manager of the future.
Key Accountabilities
- Take full ownership for a group of suppliers and sub categories including product listings and profitability
- Develop & own a category communication process including the development of templates and a channel / customer matrix to support timely communications of product launches / promotions/ clearance and other activities with stores and the Wickes operations team
- Work with the product supply analyst to minimise stock holdings whilst developing improved processes which improve on shelf availability.
- Work with supply chain and suppliers to ensure product availability, management of stock turn and problem stock issues are identified and resolved
- Ensure that all administration tasks are completed accurately and with a timely completion.
- Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, continually increasing standards of customer service through continual review and improvement to processes.
- Work closely with the Wickes Customer Experience team, ensuring that customer need and proposition are represented within advertising & promotional activity
- Working with the Marketing team to ensure that all deadlines for advertising / promotions / price guides are met.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
- Ideally you will have some previous buying / commercial experience
- Ability to multitask and prioritise workload alongside good time management
- Strong numeracy and analysis skills - Knowledge of Excel, Powerpoint, Word or Google equivalents essential
- Attention to detail with a right first-time attitude
- Great communication skills whether face to face, telephone or email
- Collaborative team working and relationship building
- Positive attitude, motivated and enthusiastic with an entrepreneurial attitude & way of thinking
- Works well under pressure and to tight deadlines
What We Offer
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.


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We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- Competitive bonus
- Save-as-you-earn scheme
- Private Medical and Life Assurance
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme
- Colleague discount
- Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.
About Us
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is our culture that is considered our best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
"We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do."
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