Category Head - Garden Furniture & Christmas

We are working with a leading garden centre business who are looking to appoint a Category Head to take ownership of their Garden Furniture and Christmas categories. A much-loved, 100% family-owned UK garden centre group with more than 125 years of heritage, c £86m turnover, and an exciting, ambitious strategy for growth and innovation. Its priorities are clear: brilliant customer experiences, a people-first culture, leadership on sustainability, and an expanding portfolio of modern, boutique, destination-led garden centres and restaurants backed by a thriving website  .
This is a senior commercial role with responsibility for delivering profitable growth through a compelling customer proposition, commercially focused product selection and development, effective range planning, stock and margin management and strong in-store execution. The successful candidate will also lead the relationship and performance of the third-party warehouse and logistics partner, ensuring efficient stock flow, cost-effective distribution and high service levels.
The role will be based from the Woodbridge office 2 days a week on average, with travel to garden centres, suppliers and trade shows as required.
Main responsibilities will include:

* Creating the department strategy and budget in partnership with stakeholders to deliver sales, cash margin and stock targets

* Providing a clear product vision to ensure the proposition reflects the customer profile, company brand and delivers strong in-store execution

* Leading the team to deliver range launches on time and in line with the critical path

* Managing the sourcing, selection and development of product ranges across Furniture and Christmas

* Developing and mentoring team members, building capability, accountability and a strong commercial focus

* Tailoring garden centre ranges based on customer buying trends, market insight and competitor activity

* Managing third-party distribution and logistics supplier relationships, costs and performance

* Managing exit strategies to support stock targets and maximise margin performance

Person specification:

* Previous experience in category management, buying or trading, ideally within furniture, Christmas, seasonal, garden centre or home-related product areas

* Strong commercial awareness with experience managing sales, margin, stock, budgets and range performance

* Proven leadership experience, with the ability to develop teams and work collaboratively across the wider business

* Highly organised and resilient, with the ability to prioritise, follow through and deliver against conflicting deadlines

* Confident decision-maker with a can-do attitude, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to challenge thinking and seize opportunities