Category Manager | Cookware & Accessories

Category Buyer | Home & Lifestyle Retail

Own the Strategy. Grow the Category. Lead Commercial Success.

Are you a commercially driven Category Buyer looking for the opportunity to shape product strategy, lead high-performing categories and influence the future of a growing retail business?

We're partnering with a leading Australian retailer to recruit an experienced Category Buyer to take ownership of a key merchandise portfolio. This is a highly strategic role where you'll drive sales, profitability, private label growth and category performance while leading and developing a talented buying team.

What's on Offer

• Salary from $120K + Super
• Join an established and growing Australian retailer
• Lead the strategy for a high-performing product category
• Opportunity to grow and expand private label ranges
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• Genuine career progression within a successful national business

About the Role
Reporting to the Buying Manager, you'll take ownership of your assigned category, developing and executing commercial strategies that drive sales, profitability and customer engagement.

You'll work closely with Merchandise, Marketing, Digital and Operations teams while managing supplier relationships and identifying new opportunities to strengthen category performance and expand private label offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales and profit
• Build commercially successful product ranges aligned to customer demand
• Lead the growth and development of private label ranges
• Analyse sales performance, margins and market trends to identify opportunities
• Negotiate pricing, trading terms and promotional activity with suppliers
• Develop and execute promotional and seasonal trading plans
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging consumer trends
• Present category performance and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Coach, mentor and develop Junior Buyers and Buying Assistants
• Build strong relationships across Merchandise, Marketing, Digital and Operations

About You
You'll be a commercially minded retail professional with a passion for product, strong analytical capability and a proven ability to drive category performance.

You'll bring:

• Previous experience as a Category Manager, Senior Buyer or Category Buyer
• Proven experience within Homewares, Kitchenware, Dining, Tabletop or Lifestyle Retail.
• Specialised buying experience in cookware and kitchenware products is highly regarded, though not essential.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience managing category performance, sales and profitability
• Demonstrated success negotiating with local and international suppliers
• Experience developing customer-focused product ranges and promotional strategies
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify commercial opportunities
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Previous experience leading, coaching or mentoring buying teams will be highly regarded
• Passion for product innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences

Why You'll Love It

This is an opportunity to influence the future direction of a nationally recognised retailer.

You'll have the autonomy to shape category strategy, develop innovative product ranges and work alongside an experienced leadership team committed to continuous improvement and long-term growth.

If you're ready to take ownership of a significant commercial portfolio and make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Elissa for a confidential discussion.
0484 614 160
elissac@rwr.net.au

We are a specialist retail recruitment agency connecting exceptional people with outstanding career opportunities.

Explore more opportunities at www.retailworldresourcing.com