Assistant Product & Category Sourcing Manager

SSISTANT PRODUCT & CATEGORY SOURCING MANAGER

The description

As Assistant Product & Category Sourcing Manager, you will be an integrated part of our passionate Sourcing and Category Management team in a role that offers growth and opportunity working in a variety of projects as part of our key transformational programmes.

By understanding the specific needs of our customers, your role will be fundamental in developing and supporting category and sourcing strategies, by gathering and analysing internal and external data, providing valuable inputs into the strategy development and implementation of strategic direction to optimise total cost of ownership.

You will support and engage collaboratively with the business to analyse requirements, to allow early involvement of procurement activity in any white label & NPD party spend, open to challenging forum and be part of peer groups to discuss current trends and themes in an agile market condition. Based on the analysis, you will be integral in assisting in the development and implementation for specific strategies across one or more categories and actively seeking opportunities for continuous improvement by working closely with the Senior Category Manager/Product Developer.

If you’re looking for a business with a great culture and think you can help us accelerate growth we want to hear from you. We’re a talented, dynamic team who do a lot to forge a sense of togetherness with regular social events and a friendship that runs through our group that makes working together pleasurable and our office a fun place to be.

We offer a competitive salary, plus excellent opportunities for professional development and a generous benefits package.

What the job involves

● Weekly report for Line Manager – Promotional Analysis & Sales

● Private Label Integration and Re-launch (project)

● Private Label & White Label New Lines Development ( launch Q123)

● Supplier Quarterly Meetings (set up) ownership & sales reports

● Competitor Monthly: Snips on visuals (CRM folder)

● Database & Files Management / Critical Path Management

● NLF Set Up for Line Manager and direct team – direct working with merchandising

● Promotional Planner and Media Planner management to ensure on time delivery and maintenance

Desired skills and experience

● Proficiency in Excel

● Responsible for managing the critical path and range plans following a new project introduction. Input / amend key dates provided by Senior Product Developer on critical path

● Check progress with overseas suppliers and internal operations ensuring product arrives on time to critical path. Flag up any delays to line manager

● Support the development of new product ranges in line with market demands and trends. Identify and evaluate both new product opportunities and new suppliers for either existing or new products

● Support the development of licensed products and own brand ranges in line with sales demand or specific client briefs

● Organise planning meetings for new campaigns, ensure relevant parties attend and gather everyone on time (Product/ Sales/ Management/ Licensor). Suggest any ideas you may have thought of, take meeting notes and send actions to all parties. Input any key actions in critical path and ensure that individuals have followed up on their actions on time

● Ongoing analysis of trends in the market place and identifying changes in demand in order to maximise profits. Collate benchmarking reports & present them back to Product Developer

● Assist in the delivery of quality goods at the right price and time

● Ensure projects follow development procedures and highlight necessary actions when required to necessary departments

● Check progress with overseas suppliers and internal operations ensuring product arrives on time to critical path. Flag up to Buyers if factory is not delivering to critical path plan

● Contact licensors for information relating to specific projects including brand guidelines, product / packaging

● Completion of product specification forms with accurate information

● Updating master specification sheet & ensuring all information is correct.

● Product packaging specifications and carton marking information communicated to factories for new products

● Product Image and specification management on internal shared systems

● Record, handle and respond to product complaints from customers, with support of the product developer

● On completion of new products suggested Trade PR to Marketing Manager providing product image, features and benefits in order to get pre-orders

● Ensure all new products are added to the Pet Brands price list and sales are aware when to pre-sell in accordance with critical path

● Product QC management and support to supply partners to ensure quality is to a high standard

● Gold seal image chasing and approvals with support from line manager

Future skills the role will require:

● Build a greater understanding of the supplier and product development process

● Knowledge exercising & training

● Range competition analysis preparation

● Brand data analysis preparation ahead of supplier sourcing meetings

● Supplier notation in meetings

Key attributes for success Pet Brands

You will be highly analytical, with a strong ability to extract, manipulate and present data, with proven experience in successfully assisting category strategy launches, by managing successful internal and external stakeholders. This role will allow you to develop and grow within the commercial team. The main skills and attributes for success include:

● Customer-focused

● Thrive in a fast-paced environment

● Enjoy working as part of a team

● Positive attitude, roll up your sleeves and get things done

● Curious by nature, enjoy learning and developing

● Listen to others and challenge others respectfully

● Fact-based, data-driven approach

● Humility, admit, learn and move on from mistakes

● Upbeat with a can-do attitude, see challenges as opportunities

● Passion for pets and pet wellbeing

● Ability to travel overseas if/when required

● Good knowledge of general market trends and fashions

● Capable of running the team in the Product Developer’s absence

● Flexible attitude to working hours

Role details

● Employment Type: Full-time

● Salary: £28,000 per year

● Work days: Monday to Friday (40 hrs)

● Reporting into: Group Head of NPD & Innovation

● Schedule: 8-hour work day, 8.30am – 5pm

● Type of work: Hybrid (3 days from home, 2 days on-site)

● Place of work: Hybrid work, 2 days from the Sheffield office, 3 days working from home

The right candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to join a successful e-commerce company during an exciting stage of growth.

Pet Brands Limited is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The company is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information or parental status. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: From £28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Flexitime
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• SHEFFIELD: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Commercial: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Assistant Product & Category Sourcing Manager