Job Details
Location: ROCHDALE
Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 Per Annum
PRODUCT CATEGORY ASSISTANT (DUNELM ACCOUNT) IMPORT & DISTRIBUTION
UP TO £28K doe
NORTH MANCHESTER
Our client a successful bedding / soft furnishing company based in North Manchester who supply products to a multiple high street retailer are now looking to recruit an experienced Category Assistant to support senior management and work on their Dunelm Account. The successful candidate will have experience working within product within the import and distribution industry and have strong Excel skills and experience in the critical path, liaising & negotiating with overseas suppliers and SAP/ERP or other systems. .
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To effectively manage all aspects of a product category. You will be central to each stage of the process managed by the commercial team. Reporting to the Senior Commercial Manager & Commercial Director
CORE COMPETENCIES for the ROLE
DECISION MAKING - · Experienced at making decisions independently where necessary and accepting responsibility for those decisions
· Strong organisational skills to effectively manage multiple deadlines
LEADERSHIP · To take the commercial lead in your category meetings held with the customer
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT To take part in development activities to support the duties of the post or enhance personal development
TECHNICAL & COMPLIANCE Experience of Microsoft tools, particularly Excel. Experience of using product information systems, SAP/ERP or other systems. Numerical data entry skills
COMMUNICATION · Experienced in communicating with suppliers, customers, line managers, peer groups and supporting departments through excellent verbal and written communication.
Experienced in effective negotiation of costs with suppliers and customers
PLANNING Ability to prioritise tasks & manage workload effectively. Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced office environment. Capacity to adapt to changing priorities and demands
THE POSITION
The job role holder will be proactive individual, with attention to detail, accuracy & customer service. The Commercial Team is an integral part of the organisation, and you will be an essential part of this team. A good working knowledge of product life cycles, critical paths and meeting strict deadlines are key to performing in this role.
Working as an integral part of the commercial function you will be developing positive and professional working relationships with suppliers, work colleagues, customers and key internal stakeholders.
DUTIES :
Competently manage all aspects of a product category from the start to the end of the product life cycle
Ensure the Seasonal Development Requirements are reviewed, updated and circulated to all suppliers ahead of the start of each season by liaising with the wider category team to ensure the accuracy of the information before circulation
Work effectively with the wider category team to complete gap analysis for the customer against their current offer and competitors, with a focus on key retail price points
Ensure the internal target matrix is regularly and accurately updated in line with departmental parameters & current retail price points
Ensure suppliers accurately quote for new developments throughout the season, keep accurate departmental records and transfer relevant details to a central tracker
Review the central tracker with the wider team to ensure key designs and costs are offered to the customer for each workshop stage
Ensure accurate and timely communication of product information is provided to the customer when requested to meet their specific deadlines
Competently carry out negotiations with suppliers as necessary to aim to meet cost expectations for the customer balanced with internal margin parameters
Ensure final product selection details are circulated accurately to the wider business
Ensure selected product cost details are accurately transferred to the company template
Ensure selected product SKUs are set up accurately on the company’s internal IT systems
Ensure selected product SKUs are set up accurately for the customers IT system, this will include specific information for their website for which you will need to liaise with the wider category team to complete
Ensure the receipt of article & RRP information from the customer, add accurately to internal documents and systems and confirm the details to the appropriate supplier
Ensure all necessary samples are requested from suppliers for new season photography, and to also fulfil ad-hoc customer sample requests
Ensure the product critical path details are accurately set up and maintain required details for the commercial sections until fully completed
Competently manage all current category SKU cost changes through detailed, accurate recording on internal documents and accurate entry on the internal IT system
Competently undertake stock cost reviews twice a year to take into account company updates to the parameters, ensuring the detail is accurately recorded on internal documents and accurate entry on the internal IT system
Ensure product details are accurately updated on the internal IT systems at the end of their life cycle
Comply with company Policies & Procedures
Understand the Company Mission & Values
Take part in the appropriate training required to carry out the duties of the post to enhance personal development
Perform any reasonable request as given by the management team
THE CANDIDATE
Will have experience working with a product category within the import supply chain industry
Experience in the critical path
Liaising with suppliers and factories overseas
Excellent Excel skills
SAP/ERP or other systems.
Product development experience an advantage
Experience within textiles bedding / soft furnishing highly advantageous
Have worked with multiple high street retailers in either account management or merchandiser role
