Category Manager – Cosmetics | Retail | Watsons

Overview of the role

Responsible for supporting the Head of Commercial with the development of the Cosmetics Category to maximize sales and gross margin objectives, while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth across all markets.

• Develop, implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions, pricing and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
• Develop category strategy and assortment plan built on an understanding of market trends, customer needs, and via trade partnerships; aiming to maximize category sales and profits.
• Build strong relationships with current and new vendors, establishing strong fundamentals and obtaining great support & investment from top vendors.
• Establish and maintain a margin & pricing policy, with optimal promotion intensity and mechanics that drive the highest sales and margins.
• Monitor daily category performance on brand/item level and act immediately on any performance gap in terms of sales, margin, and sell-through rate.
• Plan promotions according to pre-set promotion calendar, company, and category thematic campaigns. Allocate off-shelf display space to the best promotion offers and facilitate key new product launches; and maximize display income thereby. Provide promotion forecast, monitor promotion sell-through and act on any necessary markdown and clearance.
• Coordinate with eCom and Marketing teams for online and CRM offers as well.
• Be on track of new store expansions, driving the best in-store exposure for the Cosmetics category.
• Conduct regular review on range, space productivity and planogram per sub‑category and per brand with the planning team, and act on range gap and manage range tail (including clearance, deletion, return).
• Ensure healthy stock level by closely monitoring any out-of-stock, overstock, and sell-through issues and act on funded clearance and/or goods return wherever feasible.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies that are relevant to the category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines; and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practice with peers and other stakeholders.
• Work with exclusive brands to develop and deliver exclusive products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
• Working in partnership with the planning team, agree merchandising strategy that drives and delivers the right range in the right store; ensuring availability in store and control of slow-moving stock.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
• Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximizes profitability. Operate within company pricing strategy.
• Working in conjunction with the planning team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customer’s needs.
• Develop effective internal working relationships with cross‑functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance.
• Develop, build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Watsons proposition and meet customer needs.
• Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business.

• Strong analytical skills.
• Very strong commercial awareness and creative skills.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Decisive and able to work in a super fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication, analytical and organizational skills.
• Display delegation skills, priorities within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
• Practice excellent time‑management skills and ability to cope under pressure.

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions.
• Acts with integrity and respect.
• Adapts to changes required by the business.
• Has the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Has the ability to manage promptly and independently unexpected events and issues.
• Can identify priorities and organize and plan activities to ensure proper and timely execution.
• Can work as a member of a team.
• Is able to travel.

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a buyer in a retail environment.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a Cosmetics industry buying role.