Category Manager

We’re currently seeking a passionate and strategic eCommerce Category Manager to take ownership of our Culinary & Wellbeing universes across all European markets. This role is key in driving growth and innovation, using a data-led approach to define and execute category strategies that align with customer trends, market performance, and Smartbox’s ambitious goals.

You will be overseeing category research, benchmarking, and performance analysis to define the ideal product mix. With a data-driven and research-led approach, you have the final say on the product roadmap, ensuring strategic alignment across multiple European markets while driving our Culinary & Wellbeing categories' growth and profitability.

Market Research & Benchmarking

• Conduct in-depth research on market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity across key European markets.
• Benchmark category performance against competitors to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that the category remains relevant and competitive.

Category & Assortment Strategy

• Define the optimal assortment strategy, ensuring a strong balance of best-selling products and innovative new launches.
• Analyse sales data and customer insights to determine which products to launch, maintain, or remove.
• Ensure the product mix is optimized for conversion rates, revenue growth, and customer engagement.

Collaboration with Category Operations Specialists

• Work closely with Category Operations Specialists to ensure that the product launch process runs smoothly, providing clear product selection and strategy direction.
• Align with the Operations team on content needs, ensuring that product descriptions, images, and positioning match category objectives.
• Ensure that all operational elements, from product setup to go-live, follow the defined strategy and meet quality standards.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization

• Track and analyse the performance of existing products, identifying those that are underperforming and recommending improvements or replacements.
• Collaborate with eCommerce, Marketing, and Editorial teams to enhance product visibility, messaging, and positioning.
• Continuously test and iterate on category strategy based on real-time data and conversion analytics.

Collaboration & Execution

• Work closely with the Lead Category Manager to align on category priorities and performance goals.
• Partner with key stakeholders (Marketing, Sales, Trading, Content and Design) to ensure category objectives are met.
• Provide category-specific recommendations to improve customer experience and product engagement.

Key Skills & Attributes

• 3+ years of experience in category management or a similar eCommerce role.
• Industry knowledge or direct experience in the Culinary and/or Wellbeing sectors.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to forecast sales and assess market potential.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Creative thinker with an eye for trends and innovation.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Proficient in market analysis tools, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Requirements

• Fluent in English (spoken and written); additional European languages are a plus.
• Experience in market analysis, competitor benchmarking, and data-driven forecasting.
• Proficiency with tools such as Google Trends or other third-party competitor insight platforms.
• Strong data interpretation skills, with the ability to draw actionable conclusions.
• Advanced MS Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.