Head of Category (London, GB)

## Opportunity Profile: Head of Category at Currys Currys, a leading name in technology retail, is seeking a dynamic and accomplished **Head of Category** to join their London Campus at Waterloo. This is a pivotal 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity for a Grade 6 professional, offering a chance to significantly influence the commercial trajectory of a major player in the UK market.

This role is ideal for an established senior leader with a passion for technology and a proven track record in driving commercial success. You'll be instrumental in leading go-to-market strategies and spearheading crucial negotiations, ensuring both the successful closure of the current financial year and the establishment of robust plans for sustained growth in the next.

Joining Currys as Head of Category presents a unique set of advantages for ambitious professionals:

• Significant Commercial Impact: This role directly influences the company's largest commercial margin contributor. You will have the autonomy and responsibility to deliver tangible financial results through strategic decision-making and expert negotiation.
• Leadership and Team Development: You will lead and inspire a senior team of buyers. This is an opportunity to hone your leadership skills, foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, and champion a culture of growth and continuous improvement within your squad.
• Strategic Influence: You will own the development and execution of category strategies, aligning them with company-wide customer promises and financial objectives. Your insights will shape the future direction of a key commercial area.
• Customer-Centric Focus: A core aspect of this role is obsessing over the customer experience. You will leverage data and insights to enhance the customer journey, ensuring Currys remains at the forefront of customer satisfaction.
• Growth Mentality: Currys encourages a culture of ambition. You will be empowered to seek opportunities to exceed KPIs and drive competitive advantage, contributing to a forward-thinking and results-oriented organization.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Currys values its employees and offers a compelling benefits package, including:
  • 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Life Assurance
  • Significant colleague discounts on tech products and mobile services
  • Access to a wellbeing app
  • Hybrid working model, fostering work-life balance
• Career Development: Currys is committed to the growth of its people. This role offers opportunities for ongoing training, skill development, and potential for future career advancement within the organization.
• Making a Difference: Beyond commercial success, Currys is a leader in tech recycling and repair, offering the chance to contribute to a more sustainable future and positively impact both people and the planet.

To thrive in this role, candidates should carefully consider the following:

• Extensive Buying Experience: A strong background in buying within fast-paced retail environments, particularly FMCG, Fashion, or Hard Goods, is essential.
• Advanced Negotiation Prowess: The ability to manage supplier partnerships at various levels and conduct advanced negotiations is paramount to success.
• Strategic and Analytical Acumen: You will need to demonstrate strong judgment, decision-making skills, and excellent numerical and analytical capabilities to interpret data and formulate actionable plans.
• Leadership of Senior Teams: Proven experience in managing and developing senior buyers, fostering inclusion and empowerment, is a critical requirement.
• Pace and Adaptability: The retail landscape is dynamic. Candidates must be comfortable working to deadlines, managing critical paths, and making decisions at pace.
• Change Management Skills: The ability to drive change, build advocacy across the business, and implement new initiatives effectively will be crucial.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are vital for presenting to senior stakeholders and effectively delegating tasks.
• Fixed-Term Contract Nature: As this is a 12-month fixed-term contract, candidates should assess how this aligns with their long-term career aspirations and consider their professional goals within this timeframe.

This Head of Category position at Currys offers a compelling opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact, lead a talented team, and contribute to the success of a leading technology retailer. If you possess the required skills and are eager to take on a challenging and rewarding role, this could be your next career milestone.