Senior Category Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 9, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 4, 2026.
Senior Category Manager | London - Hybrid (2 days in office) | Competitive Salary + Benefits
About the Role
The opportunity
Own the strategy and performance of your experience categories across Buyagift and Red Letter Days, part of Moonpig Group. Shape an exciting range of experiences, grow sales and margin, and build partnerships that give customers more reasons to choose us.
Commercial ownership
You'll turn customer insight, market trends and commercial data into clear category plans that drive growth. Balancing day-to-day trading with longer-term opportunities, you'll explore new experiences, formats and price points while improving the performance of our existing range.
Your team
Reporting to the Head of Partner Growth, you'll lead a team of three direct reports supporting your categories. You'll set clear priorities and targets, take ownership of category results and support your team's development through regular feedback and coaching.
You'll also work closely with Partner Acquisition, Marketing, Product and Trading to turn category plans into results.
Key Responsibilities
Define and own category strategies, setting clear sales, margin, range and partner growth goals based on customer demand, market trends and commercial opportunities.
Identify gaps in our experience range, regional coverage and price points. Test new products and formats, measure results and build on what works.
Work with Partner Acquisition to agree recruitment priorities and partner requirements, helping us attract partners that strengthen our category offering.
Build trusted relationships with new and existing partners, understanding their goals and agreeing joint growth plans through regular business reviews.
Negotiate pricing, commission and exclusivity agreements that balance customer value, commercial performance and sustainable partner growth.
Collaborate with partners to develop and launch distinctive experiences that help our brands stand out.
Lead seasonal planning, launches and campaigns around key gifting moments, including Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas, working closely with Marketing, Product and Trading.
Use Excel and commercial reporting tools to analyse sales, margin, conversion and customer satisfaction, identify performance gaps and take action.
Work with relevant teams to improve product content and merchandising, balancing immediate trading opportunities with longer-term innovation.
Set clear objectives and targets for your three direct reports, aligned with category sales, margin and partner growth plans. Review individual and team performance, agree actions where needed and retain accountability for overall category results.
Agree account ownership, priorities and decision-making responsibilities across the team, giving each person the confidence and autonomy to deliver.
Hold regular one-to-ones and performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and coaching to develop your team's commercial analysis, partner management and negotiation skills.
Align priorities, responsibilities and deadlines across teams. Share clear updates on results and risks, resolve challenges and escalate issues with recommendations when support is needed.
Champion commercial thinking, creativity and high standards across Buying, and deputise for the Head of Partner Growth when required.
Category Strategy and Growth
Partner Management and Negotiation
Trading and Range Performance
Leadership and Collaboration
About You
You're commercially minded, curious and confident turning insight into action. You enjoy building strong partner relationships, negotiating value and finding opportunities to grow a category.
You'll bring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, with the ability to adapt and make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment.
You'll enjoy leading and developing a team, setting clear expectations and helping others grow their skills and confidence while taking ownership of commercial results.
The role also offers opportunities to build your commercial leadership skills, broaden your experience and explore career development across Moonpig Group.
Essential Skills and Experience
Proven experience in category management, buying or commercial partnerships, with a track record of delivering sales or margin growth.
Ability to turn customer insights, market trends and commercial analysis into clear range, partner and growth priorities.
Strong negotiation, relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience working across internal teams and external partners.
Confidence using Excel and reporting tools to investigate performance, assess opportunities and make informed commercial decisions.
Strong prioritisation and organisational skills, with the ability to deliver plans and adapt to changing trading conditions.
Experience managing people, coaching colleagues or leading shared initiatives, with the ability to take responsibility for team performance, delivery and development.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Experience in marketplaces, e-commerce, experiences, gifting, travel, hospitality or leisure.
Experience in a high-growth business or established consumer brand with ambitious commercial targets.
Experience developing distinctive ranges, exclusive experiences or joint partner growth plans.
We know great people come from different backgrounds, so don't worry if you don't tick every box. We're interested in your commercial judgement, the impact you've made and your potential to grow.
Interview Process
Stage 1: TA Screen - 30 minutes.
Stage 2: Hiring Manager Screen - 45-60 minutes.
Stage 3: Final Interview - 60 minutes with the Hiring Manager and a senior stakeholder, including a task presentation.
Our process may vary depending on role and availability. We keep candidates informed of any changes.