Category Manager (Retail)

Duration: Secondment or Fixed Term Contract of 2 years with the potential to extend or go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).

Salary: £55,596 - £67,813

Contact: If you require any support with your application, please click here for contact details.

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. 

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. 

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

This is a strategic retail role where you'll act as the subject matter expert for your category, using your industry knowledge and commercial insight to shape and improve the retail offer across our stations.

You'll analyse sales performance, customer trends and market opportunities to determine the right mix of retailers and products for different locations. Working closely with Retail Business Partners, Surveyors and other Category Managers, you'll help develop category strategies that maximise income while enhancing the passenger experience.

Undoubtedly the best bit of the job is introducing new brands and cutting the ribbon on new store openings (metaphorically!). We are also the first point of contact for our retail partners, and this means on top of new opportunities we can also be assisting with anything that impacts their business in rail. A usual day would have me covering topics from lease renewals to debt management, logistics and safety related matters. So, there is no time to be bored in this role!

Relationship management is one of the parts of the role I really enjoy and it's a privilege to engage with some of the Captains of Industry in the retail and food and beverage sectors. We have some fantastic established business partners and its key for us both that we meet regularly and continue to drive performance across their assets, cross-fertilising ideas and insights to improve our offers.

If your key interests are Retail and people, you buzz from diversity and constant change then this is a great role for you. 

No two stations are the same, so you'll be balancing commercial objectives with customer needs, stakeholder expectations and station-specific requirements to create tailored retail solutions that deliver results.

A little bit about the team... 

You'll be part of the wider Retail team within Network Rail's Property function, working alongside Category Managers, Retail Business Partners, Surveyors and key stakeholders across the business.

The team combines commercial expertise, customer insight and industry knowledge to shape the retail experience across Network Rail's managed stations. Collaboration is a key part of the role, with colleagues working together to develop strategies that drive revenue growth while ensuring stations offer the right mix of retail, food and beverage options for passengers.

CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 1st December, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.

We encourage you to review our Safety Vision, as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail

All external offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

REF: #LI-JH1

We're looking for a commercially minded retail professional with extensive experience in a category management, retail operations or commercial management environment.

You'll bring strong industry knowledge and understand what drives customer behaviour, retail performance and commercial growth. You'll be confident using data and market insight to make recommendations while balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Experience gained within large-scale, multi-site retail environments will be particularly valuable, as will an ability to influence decisions and develop strategic solutions that improve both commercial outcomes and customer experience.

Rail industry experience is not essential. We welcome candidates from a range of retail, hospitality, transport and consumer-facing sectors.

¿          Educated to degree level in business or equivalent retail background

¿          Proven extensive experience in a retail management role. 

¿          Significant experience and in-depth knowledge of the Food and Beverage or Retail industry (dependant on vacancy)

¿          Evidence of meeting profit targets within a competitive environment

¿          Knowledge of retail operations, merchandising and store development

¿          Strong interpersonal and good negotiation skills.

¿          Travel retail experience from either airport or transport hubs