We are looking for a Category Lead to join our Buying Team who sits at the heart of Loaf's product proposition. The Category Lead will be responsible for developing our Homewares Proposition and range plan working closely with the CPO in order to support our strategy to broaden Loaf's appeal and hand elevate our customer experience. We are looking for someone who can develop the strategic thinking and execute a highly brand led commercial and creative plan and delivery across teams, driving growth and profitability. They will have responsibility for how to plan and manage appropriate design resource. As with everything we do our products are developed with sustainability in mind.
The new Category Lead will be joining a great but small team and will work closely with key stakeholders teams across the business.
The Job
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Leading product strategy for each category in conjunction with the Chief Product Officer. Critically thinking to define/evolve and deliver against the over-arching product proposition for each category - striving to differentiate against competitors, simplify and cut-through for customers and always support the Loaf brand.
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Proposing the range and option plan, and then delivering the products to support that plan from concept to launch including key stakeholder buy in.
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Working closely with Demand Planning to offer optimum pricing strategy and architecture to deliver sales and profitability.
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Working closely with Suppliers to manage continuity ranges and new development and execution inline with all KPIs.
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Managing and leading the critical path and ensuring all products deliver target margin.
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Obsessing over and delivering quality of product and also of execution in every last detail
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Working with key stakeholders as the category expert; Demand Planning, Supplier Management, Product Tech. Marketing and Brand Teams
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Managing a small team.
What we're looking for
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A true homewares junkie!
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Strong and deep knowledge of the sector and industry with a rich understanding of both the competitor landscape and the high-end design space within homewares.
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Passion for and strong awareness of customer insight, future trends and innovations within the sector.
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Excels in critical thinking, analyses complex problems and produces strategic solutions.
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Both commercial and creatively minded.
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Highly skilled in organisational development, proficient in building processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
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Written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly articulating ideas and complex concepts.
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Expert in relationship building and stakeholder management.
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Proficient in negotiation.
What we offer
Benefits include:
● 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each year for 3 years
● Enhanced family leave policy
● Staff and friends and family discount
● Healthcare Cash Plan
● EAP Programme
● Other discounts for shopping
● Cycle to Work Scheme
● Half a day for Christmas shopping
● Death in service - 4 times annual salary
What's it like working at Loaf?
We are a forward-thinking, friendly bunch committed to building a fabulous company with brilliant people. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and we are always striving for better, more efficient ways to deliver to the highest standard.
As a business, we are working really hard to be inclusive. No matter what identity or background, we want everyone to feel welcome in a place where we can all be ourselves.
We would love you to join us on our journey.
Please note that due to a high number of applications we are currently receiving we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback to every candidate at this stage of the process. If your application is successful, one of our Loafers will reach out to you.