Assistant Category Manager

At Petbarn, Australia’s speciality pet leading retailer, we're passionate about making the world a happier place through the love of pets! This great opportunity based in our Support Office in North Ryde as an Assistant Category Manager in our Dog and Cat Food Ambient team will suit an experienced Assistant Category Manager or highly experienced Merchandise Assistant looking for their next step in their Category Management career.

Reporting to the Category Manager, you will be passionate about specialty retail, organised, focused and driven to have a strong buying career. This is an extremely fast paced category so your previous high volume retail buying experience is essential.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Support the Category Manager in all aspects of category mgt: present on sales, inventory, margin, and promotions vs. budget and strategic brand plans

• Assist with promotional planning, reporting and analysis

• Conduct category analysis to ensure strategic objectives are met

• Contribute to all aspects of ranging and promotions

• Manage the workload of Merchandise Assistants within the team

• Working collaboratively with all internal stakeholders including Stores, Supply Chain, Marketing, Private Label and Space Planning teams

• Coordinating Vendor new product submissions whilst developing strong working relationships with suppliers

• Making meaningful contributions, insights and process improvement recommendations

 What do we need?

• This category is a growing and evolving category, so you will have strong experience in a similar support office buying role 

• Someone that is passionate about specialty retail with a true focus on building a buying career and wanting to progress

• You will be detail focused and super organised with excellent analytical skills (you are advanced in excel, you can pull data, build graphs etc) 

• Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer or Assistant Category Manager in a fast-paced retail support office environment is essential

• Proven experience in multi-tasking and managing multiple stakeholders

• Outstanding communication skills- you will be an integral point of contact for suppliers, store teams and other departments throughout the office

• You will have an outstanding attitude where no problem is too big or too small, you will be collaborative and a true team player

What's in it for you?

• Exposure to all facets of end-to-end Category management

• Opportunity to bring your dog to work with hybrid working options available (2-3 days in the office)

• The opportunity to work with an experienced Category Manager in a nurturing environment

• A great mentor, who is passionate about developing their team

• A dynamic Support Office environment where your input is valued and heard

You will have at least 2-3 years or more experience, in a category team and be looking to grow in a very fast paced, dynamic environment. Your passion for a career in retail buying will be evident through your personal commitment to ongoing growth

Previous experience in a Support Office buying role from a retail or FMCG environment

Tertiary Qualification in Business Admin or similar

Hybrid working options

Pet Friendly office

Amazing opportunities to grow your buying career