Category & Range Planning Manager

Do you have experience in category planning, range management, merchandising or assortment planning within a retail, wholesale or FMCG environment?

Have you successfully managed range changes from initial analysis and recommendation through to implementation?

Can you bring together Buying, Supply Chain and Operations teams to ensure category decisions are executed effectively?

MacGregor Black are partnering with a leading UK wholesale and retail organisation on the search for a Category & Range Planning Manager . This is a permanent role based in Greater London.

This is a highly visible, cross-functional role responsible for leading the end-to-end range review and implementation process across multiple product categories.

Working closely with Category, Buying, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams, you will ensure that range decisions are supported by robust analysis, translated into actionable plans and delivered successfully across the wider business.

You will play a key role in optimising category performance, improving customer choice and ensuring operational readiness for all range changes, product launches and delists.

This opportunity would suit candidates from Category Planning, Merchandising, Range Planning, Assortment Planning or Commercial Planning backgrounds who enjoy combining analytical thinking with project delivery and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the annual and ad-hoc range review process across multiple categories.
• Analyse customer, sales, category and operational data to support range recommendations and commercial decision-making.
• Partner with Category and Buying teams to develop and execute category and range plans.
• Build and manage detailed project plans, timelines and governance frameworks for all approved range changes.
• Coordinate activity across Buying, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, Depots and Master Data teams.
• Manage product introductions, delists and range transitions, ensuring risks are identified and mitigated.
• Support stock run-down plans, depot readiness and successful onboarding of new products.
• Monitor project delivery, ensuring agreed milestones and implementation timelines are achieved.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews, measuring the effectiveness of range changes and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and meetings to ensure alignment across the business.

What We're Looking For:

• Experience within Category Planning, Merchandising, Range Planning, Assortment Planning, Commercial Planning or Category Management.
• Strong understanding of category management, ranging principles and assortment optimisation.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects involving Buying, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert data into clear commercial recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Commercially minded with a strong customer focus.
• Experience within wholesale, convenience, grocery retail or FMCG.
• Exposure to category planning, space planning or merchandising systems.
• Understanding of supply chain, distribution or depot operations.
• Project management qualifications or equivalent practical experience.

Please contact Alice Redmond at MacGregor Black for further information.

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