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The role of a Category Support Manager is to deliver engaging, compelling and world class product ranges across our leisure portfolio.
To provide guidance and strategic direction for all park retail purchases within Farah\'s business units.
Responsible for assessing the product assortment, inventory levels and supplier base by category.
To work to agreed budgets including cost of goods, freight and GP margins across each of the business units and deliver these against expectations.

In order to be considered for this role, you must be able:

• To own an agreed category assortment and deliver engaging, compelling and world class product ranges across our leisure portfolio.
• To develop new and innovative products to support the on-park guest experience
• To ensure a robust process to manage category and range planning is adhered to. In order to ensure the optimal stock vs. sales mix by location
• To maintain the product hierarchy thus ensuring effective reporting and categorization
• To ensure buy quantities and stock levels are in line with expectations and the agreed open to buy budgets.
• To estimate and anticipate future buying needs of the company
• To Identify customer preferences and forecast consumer trends
• To discover new products, ensuring our product assortment is both innovative and first to market.
• To check the quality and popularity of items already within our assortment and make recommendations as necessary.
• To develop and the right products as per the requirements of the company and in line with seasonal visitor volumes.
• To attend trade shows, events, fairs and exhibitions in order to remain up to date with market trends.
• To develop and introduce new bespoke merchandise to cater for the strategic business model of the BU\'s.
• To continuously monitor market demand and supply and monitor stock levels. Ensure all buying plans are within budget
• To create reports on sales, budgets and customer satisfaction. Use business insight to adjust the buying strategy as appropriate. Ensure pricing strategies are implemented.
• To work in partnership with other shared service functions in order to evaluate supplier options, prices, quality etc.
• To forge and maintain trust relationships with suppliers to promote fair dealing.
• To ensure a robust follow up of the buying critical path is delivered and there is a process in place to update the buying status of all product ranges
• To check and verify all the required specifications of purchased products through a robust test, audit and compliance process.
• To ensure a process is in place to manage terminal lines and aged inventory
• To work in collaboration with relevant IP holders and partners
• To monitor business performance and partner with Operations to adjust plan as needed to meet objectives
• To actively demonstrate a strong personal commitment to the business vision. To shows an entrepreneurial mindset that helps the organization evolve, innovate, and remain as leading edge and effective as possible.
• To conduct colleague performance appraisals in a timely, fair and constructive manner in order to promote their personal and career growth.
• To Perform other reasonable duties as requested by senior management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Higher secondary or equivalent

Desirable:

• Bachelor\'s Degree

Years of Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum of 2 years buying experience.
• Experience in sourcing, developing and delivering product that not only meets the company\'s requirements, but also maintains brand standards to the IP owner

Desirable:

• Retail and Buying experience within the leisure. theme park sector.

Skills:

Essential:

• Possess a fundamental understanding of retail theories and standards, product design and packaging, product sourcing and delivery, contract negotiation, product inventory control, product display, and product pricing and sales
• Proficiency in writing, speaking, and understanding the English language
• Ability to monitor and identify problems proactively. Understanding of how best to utilize all resources available to quickly and effectively solve problems as they occur and with a strong sense of urgency.
• Stays current on new retail trends, technologies, and processes emerging in the industry and proactively works to develop new products and services that will improve profits through increased operational efficiency and/or improved guest satisfaction
• Negotiation skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Multitasking skills - Ability to work in a fast paced, fun, and busy environment managing multiple deadlines
• Knowledge on department budgeting, P&L, and open-to-buy development
• Knowledge and understanding of computer programs such as Microsoft Office, POS systems, retail inventory control and finance software
• Adaptability, comfortable with change in a fast-paced environment

Desirable:

• Knowledge on business development
• Proficiency in other languages a plus

Farah Experiences