Role: Head of Product Category- Etrading – Normanton
Salary: up to £55K per annum DOE
Working Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Benefits:
* 23 Days holiday + bank holidays
* Pension
* Private Health care
* Life Cover
* Income Protection
* Onsite parking
* Hybrid working 2 days from home
Elevation Recruitment Group - Marketing Division are excited to be working with a national distributor with a sustainability ethos and a great employee culture.
We are seeking a Head of Category -eTrading to lead our product category strategy across online marketplaces, social channels, and our web platforms.
You will identify and develop high-performing product opportunities using data-driven insights to predict trends, optimise assortments, and deliver compelling ranges across Amazon UK & EU, TikTok Shop, Instagram, Facebook, eBay, and OnBuy.
This is a hands-on, commercial role, requiring a blend of analytical insight, creative market awareness, and strategic leadership to drive profitable growth. Using marketplace data, seasonal trend analysis, and performance insight, the Head of Category will define our product mix and trading calendar ensuring we’re first to market with products that capture customer demand and deliver strong ROI.
You’ll work closely with the Buying Team, who will execute your category plans sourcing the right products, at the right specification and price, to deliver commercial advantage.
Our client operates across 5 key areas:
* Direct-to-consumer websites
* Amazon UK
* Amazon Europe
* Other marketplaces - eBay, OnBuy, and others
* Social commerce -TikTok, Instagram, Facebook
Responsibilities:
Category Strategy & Planning
* Define and implement category strategies for seasonal, core, and spot-buy product ranges across all online channels.
* Leverage Amazon and social platform data to identify emerging trends, best-selling lines, and pricing dynamics.
* Develop tailored product and promotional plans for Amazon UK, Amazon EU, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
* Plan and manage product selection and promotional calendars tailored to each platform.
Product & Trend Identification
* Use marketplace and internal data to identify seasonal buying opportunities and trending products.
* Monitor competitor performance, market pricing, and customer demand cycles.
* Produce forecasts and performance reports to inform decision-making and drive category growth.
Channel-Specific Execution
* Develop tailored product and pricing strategies for:
* Amazon UK & EU (FBA/SWA)
* TikTok Shop – trend-driven and viral opportunities
* Instagram & Facebook – lifestyle and promotional ranges
* eBay & OnBuy – volume-driven and clearance lines
* Support listing optimisation, promotional campaigns, and audience targeting for marketplace success.
Collaboration with Buying & Supply Chain
* Collaborate with the eTrading and marketing teams to position seasonal and trending lines effectively on social media.
* Provide clear product briefs and category priorities to the Buying Team.
* Ensure alignment on specification, cost targets, and supplier selection.
* Monitor supplier performance and category profitability.
Commercial & Performance Management
* Drive category P&L, ensuring sales, margin, and stock-turn targets are achieved.
* Review sales data and profitability by SKU and category, adjusting strategy as required.
* Present regular trading insights and recommendations to senior management.
* Own the new product introduction pipeline and lifecycle management.
Core Competencies
* Proven experience in Category Management, Trading, or Buying within eCommerce or retail.
* Strong understanding of Amazon Marketplace (Seller Central / Vendor Central) and social commerce platforms (TikTok Shop, Meta Commerce).
* Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret large datasets and translate into actionable insights.
* Demonstrable ability to spot emerging trends and capitalise on short-term opportunities.
* Strong commercial acumen with experience driving sales and margin growth.
* Effective communication and leadership skills – able to influence cross-functional teams.
* Proficiency in Excel, marketplace analytics tools, and data dashboards (e.g., Helium 10, Jungle Scout, Amazon Brand Analytics).
* Experience in Office Supplies, Facilities, or General Merchandise sectors preferred.