Head of Category

ao.com; Bolton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK electrical retailer is seeking a Head of Category for a fixed-term contract in Bolton. The role involves setting strategy, leading a team, and managing key supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience in trading or category management, strong negotiation skills, and a collaborative mindset to drive sales and enhance customer experience. Join a culture that values creativity and teamwork while delivering the best shopping experience for customers.

Benefits

25 days holidays plus bank holidays

Pension matching up to 5%

Discounted gym membership

Exclusive product discounts

Enhanced family leave

Qualifications

• Currently in a trading or category management role.
• Experience in leading high performance teams is essential.
• Ability to use data to identify opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy development and range decisions.
• Manage stock flow and supplier relationships.
• Inspire and develop the buying and planning team.
• Accountable for sales and promotional planning.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Team leadership

Collaboration skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Job Overview

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Department: Trading & Supply

Location: Bolton

About The Role

We’re on the hunt for a Head of Category to partner with some of the UK’s biggest electrical brands. You’ll take the lead on building and maintaining a winning product range, managing key relationships, and working hand-in-hand with our supply chain, marketing, and e-commerce teams to create the best shopping experience in the UK.

Our people are our superpower, and we’re unstoppable when we’re together! We want your ideas to flow, and what better way to make that happen than being based onsite, 5 days a week, where our culture fuels creativity, collaboration and growth. If a £1 bet in the pub between two friends can become the UKs most trusted electrical retailer, imagine what else can be achieved when we’re together!

Here\'s What You Can Expect To Be Doing

• Set the Strategy: Take full ownership of planning and range decisions for your category. You’ll define the vision, set ambitious availability targets across all channels, and make sure our customers always have the best choice at their fingertips.
• Keep Things Moving: Lead the way on major space and seasonal changes, ensuring smooth stock flow and efficient supplier management. You’ll spot opportunities to improve processes and keep everything running like clockwork.
• Lead the Team: Inspire and guide a talented buying and demand planning team. You’ll develop their skills, nurture future leaders, and create a high-performance culture where everyone strives for excellence.
• Drive Sales: Be accountable for all sales and promotional planning within your category. From seasonal campaigns to everyday pricing strategies, you’ll make sure we hit targets and deliver results.
• Own Supplier Relationships: Build strong partnerships with key suppliers, secure the best trading terms, and manage quarterly planning cycles to maximise commercial performance.
• Work as One AO: Collaborate with supply chain, marketing, service, and commercial teams to deliver a seamless experience for our customers and keep AO ahead of the competition.
• Stay on Budget: Keep a close eye on stock and waste, ensuring compliance with budgets and driving efficiency across the board.

A Few Things About You

• Currently operating as a Trading Manager, Category Manager, Head of Category or similar roles
• Experience leading and developing a high performing team is essential
• Strong negotiation skills, ability to learn quickly, and confidence to respectfully challenge received wisdom
• Highly numerate, with great attention to detail, and a natural ability to use data to identify opportunities
• Self-motivated, strong collaboration skills, and a willingness to go above and beyond for the team
• Highly tenacious, an ability to work well under pressure, prioritise and work within tight timescales

A Bit About Us

We’re big on appliances and electricals, REALLY big. Washing machines, fridge freezers and TVs? They’re our bread and butter. Mobiles, Airwraps and Ring doorbells? Yep, those too. If it plugs in, powers up or makes life easier, AO probably has it.

But we’re more than that… For over 25 years, trust has been at the heart of everything we do, helping us become the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer. Our customers rate us 4.9 on Trustpilot from nearly ONE MILLION reviews and more 5-star ratings than any other UK electrical retailer, because they know they can rely on us and it’s the exact same for our AOers too.

We truly believe it’s more than just a job, we genuinely care about each other and our impact on making our customers lives easier, by helping them brilliantly. Everyone here knows how their role makes a difference. Our people are our superpower, so, when it comes to finding new AOers, we know it’s about more than just a CV, it’s about what makes you, YOU.

Benefits

• Holidays; 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
• Pension; Contribute 5% of your annual salary and we’ll do the same, giving you a little extra support for the future.
• Be a VIP at the AO Arena; we have loads of opportunities to win free tickets and pre-sale access!
• Health & wellbeing; discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GP’s, Mental Health support and much more.
• Discounts; exclusive discounts across our product range.
• Family leave; Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
• Making a difference; 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
• On site perks; start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised in house coffee shop!

To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.

Apply Now

Apply by uploading your CV. Job Title: Head of Category - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Location: Bolton

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