Category Manager

1 week ago

London, Greater London, United Kingdom Fortnum & Mason Full time

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Buyer to join our team at Fortnum & Mason. As a key member of our Buying Department, you will be responsible for defining and delivering the strategic buying vision for our Hampers category across all channels of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and deliver the strategic vision for the Hampers category, driving sales and profit through analysis of sales and stock performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Merchandising, Concierge, Retail, Wholesale, Marketing, Online, and Logistics, to ensure seamless execution of category plans.
  • Develop an understanding of customer profiles and anticipate customer needs and expectations in a multichannel environment.
  • Set direction and strategy for product groups, working closely with the Merchandising team and other stakeholders.
  • Define and agree pricing strategies with multiple suppliers, influencing cross-category teams in key supplier negotiations.
  • Lead the negotiation of complex business terms and agreements with suppliers and other third-party service providers.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Work closely with the Hamper Merchandiser to identify sales trends, range structure, and opportunities, alongside NPD forecasts.
  • Product curation and development, with a focus on seasonality, particularly Christmas.
  • Sales and margin analysis, including weekly trade reports, board reports, and seasonal reviews.
  • Collaborate with Buying Departments to push for development to support Hamper fills and themes, as well as to keep up to date with any delays to product development that may impact the hamper timeline.
  • Work with the Online Team to ensure smooth launches of products, as well as to identify any core characteristic changes in our online customers.
  • Work with the Client Service Team to capture their feedback on ranges, to identify any potential gaps within the range, and develop bespoke orders to support demand.
  • Manage key strategic suppliers, influencing strategically across other categories to ensure Hamper requirements and needs are protected within other supplier contracts/negotiations.
  • Maintain the working relationship with our core wicker supplier, negotiating cost prices, ensuring any problems with invoices are rectified, and product development of wicker shapes and styles.
  • Work with the International/Wholesale Team to ensure product development fits their requirements.
  • Lead on finding partners for exclusive collaborations and curations.
  • Work cross-functionally on gift card/experience strategy.
  • Range planning per site, largely managed day-to-day by Merch and AB.
  • Floor walks, largely managed day-to-day by Merch and AB.
  • Regular staff training, largely managed day-to-day by Merch and AB, but accountable for ensuring these are booked in and executed in a timely manner, and deciding the format of this training.
  • Support the AB in the management of our third-party Floristry supplier.
  • Regular visits to Other London Stores.
  • Signing off drop plans that the Hamper Assistant Buyer compiles.
  • Overview of signage requests raised by the Hamper Assistant Buyer to ensure they are sent in a timely manner, largely managed day-to-day by AB.
  • Competitor reviews of each seasonal campaign.
  • Data integrity, ensuring substitutes are being selected, and recorded correctly by AB and merch teams, and necessary comms are carried out.
  • Support the Warehouse Team to carry out test packs of new hamper fills.
  • Support the Hamper & Logistics Team to carry out travel tests of new hamper fills.
  • Attend Monthly NPD meetings to ensure awareness of any upcoming product development and feedback any hamper requirements such as shelf life.

People & Collaboration:

  • Ability to operate at a Senior level and deputise for the Director of Buying as and when required.
  • Ability to influence and manage multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to lead the category in a personalised, professional, and articulate manner, demonstrating credibility and influencing skills at every level.
  • Effective people management, with the ability to train, develop, and retain team members.
  • Management of the Hamper Assistant Buyer's development, roles, and responsibilities.

Role Specific Criteria:

  • 7 to 10 years' experience in a Buying role, preferably in a luxury retail environment or within the Hamper/gift box sector.
  • Passion for putting together brilliant food combinations that amplify our strategy of extraordinary food and drink.
  • Commercial understanding and ability essential in driving sales and profit of this iconic high-profile category.
  • Appreciation of our strength in food, drink, and joyful living.
  • Proven experience in product development and ability to incorporate understanding of future trends to create and curate an innovative but commercial range.
  • Demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Proven skills in leading and coaching a high-performing buying team.

What We Offer:

  • A competitive salary.
  • A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%.
  • 25 days' holidays pro rata (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday.
  • A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum's ingredients.
  • A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally.
  • Excellent pension scheme.

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