Category Manager

At Greencross Pet Wellness Company, we’re passionate about helping pets and their people live happier, healthier lives. Across Petbarn stores, Greencross Vets, Specialist and Emergency hospitals, Support Office teams and Supply Chain Distribution Centres, our people work in diverse, dynamic and purpose-led environments every day.

Based in our North Ryde Support Office, we are seeking an experienced, Category Manager to join our team leading our Accessories Category for a 12-month maternity leave contract.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Category Manager, the role will be responsible for the end-to-end management of our Accessories category with a large focus on innovation and range development, project management, PL & Exclusivity, pricing & promotional effectiveness.

This role is ideal for an experienced Category Manager that’s looking for a great opportunity to be part of an exciting fast paced category for a 12-month period.

What you will do

Strategy, Planning & Budgets

• Category strategy development. Using customer and market insights, financial analysis to develop meaningful differentiation in the marketplace
• Own weekly category trade performance, analysing sales, margin, inventory, availability and promotional performance against budget and forecast, identifying key drivers and implementing corrective actions to maximise commercial outcomes
• Work with replenishment team to ensure ongoing stock availability

NPD and Ranging

• Identify new market opportunities based on customer insights and market trends
• Clearly articulate overall range structure along with which opportunities are optimum for PL & Exclusive vs branded
• Develop range plan that optimises returns by relevant channels (store, online only, drop ship)
• Work with PL and Sourcing Team on product and brand development as well as sourcing opportunities to continually drive accretive margin opportunities
• Develop clear exit strategies in conjunction with Merchandise Planners in order to manage stock and margin effectively
• Work with Space team to define store clusters to inform range decisions and build appropriate planograms taking customer flow, return on space and customer decision tree into consideration

Pricing and Promotions

• Consistently review, analyse & recommend promotional plan improvements to meet strategic plans & budgeted outcomes by department
• Use customer insights to drive the right targeted tactics in the appropriate channels to improve effectiveness and ROI
• Close liaison with Marketing Department and replenishment to execute effectively on promotions, marketing, PR and Social campaigns
• In conjunction with Pricing team, clearly define the role of each product type/brand and the appropriate pricing strategy in order to maximise market share and profitability

Commercial

• Trading terms negotiations with suppliers to improve margin and point of difference
• Regular negotiation and improvement of promotional funding and other discretionary spend or business efficiencies

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop direct reports, setting clear priorities and expectations while building capability, accountability and a high-performing collaborative team culture.

About You

You are an experienced. values led, retail Category Manager who combines high achievement focus with empathy, fairness, courage and respect. You are a trusted expert that builds credibility quickly, asks the difficult questions and provides clear, pragmatic response.

You will have:

• At least 5 years’ experience in a retail Buying/Category Manager role, preferably with Private Brand experience
• Independent operator with a passion for retail & desire to progress
• Proactive, goal orientated, accountable, shows initiative & the drive to achieve results
• Reasoned problem solving - identifying issues, providing solutions
• Strong understanding of Retail environment, sound business acumen
• Strong communication & people skills
• Team player with both internal & external stakeholders with exceptional communication and people skills
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, with the ability to coach, develop and effectively manage a high-performing team

• Contribute to a values led enterprise function with meaningful influence across a national workforce.
• Work with an experienced Product team in a purpose-led business focused on pets, people and wellbeing.
• Join a growing organisation with career pathways across the broader Greencross and Petbarn network.

If you are ready to contribute to a fast paced, exciting category, we would love to hear from you.