Category Manager

WHO WILL SUCCEED: You will thrive in this role if you think like a curator, act like a business owner, and care deeply about the customer experience. You understand that in a premium retail environment, product is not just merchandise—it’s meaning, storytelling, and emotional connection. YOUR MISSION: As a Category Manager, you will contribute to the growth of a premium retail brand. In this role, you will serve as the curator and architect of our product offering. Your mission is to shape and lead our category strategy to deliver meaningful, profitable, and elegant assortments – designed not just to sell, but to inspire. You will ensure every item on our shelves contributes to our promise of knowledge, trust and the finest experience for our customers. This role requires a perfect blend of strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and a deep understanding of customer lifestyles, especially in the premium consumer segment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Category Leadership - Architect and execute category strategies aligned with brand positioning and business goals. - Define the role of each category (e.g., image builder, traffic driver, destination) to optimize overall portfolio value. - Design the category structure (width, depth, segmentation) to support merchandising logic and customer journeys. - Develop seasonal and lifecycle-based assortment plans to ensure freshness, relevance, and profitability. Product & Commercial Management - Identify and evaluate potential products based on quality, brand fit, and consumer insights. - Analyze performance of SKUs using key indicators (GM%, sell-through, inventory turnover) and make mix optimization decisions. - Execute category assortment planning ensuring the right products at the right time for our discerning customers - Build and manage pricing strategies that balance premium perception, competitiveness, and margin goals. - Monitor competitive landscape and optimize margin structures across assigned categories - Monitor market trends and customer behavior to spot opportunities for new products or sub-categories. Omnichannel Category Activation - Provide commercial direction and product insights for in-store and digital merchandising initiatives. - Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure category presence, messaging, and campaigns are consistently executed across channels. - Support the development of category storytelling that helps customers not just shop—but understand and connect with the product. Brand & Experience Alignment - Uphold and protect brand standards through thoughtful assortment choices. - Ensure that category presentations (online/offline) reflect elegance, utility, and emotional connection with the customer. - Develop product stories and merchandising concepts that inspire customers. - Support promotional activities that reinforce brand storytelling and drive category engagement.