Category Buying Manager

About the Role

This position offers the chance to lead a varied product portfolio within a commercial retail environment focused on travel and leisure. The business is a long-standing, rapidly expanding retailer that offers accessories and lifestyle products through a nationwide store network, with a strong commitment to customer experience, team development, and commercial expansion.

Based in Mangere, Auckland, the role includes one direct report and a working arrangement that combines office presence with one day working from home. The salary is negotiable, and the package also includes additional workplace perks.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

You will take end-to-end ownership of category performance, using a mix of strategic buying, stock control, supplier collaboration, and commercial analysis to improve results. The role requires close partnership with teams across retail, marketing, finance, and operations to uncover growth opportunities, shape promotions, refine pricing, and support profitable category expansion.

A major part of the role will involve negotiating with suppliers, managing inventory levels, and making decisions based on sales and market data. If you are motivated by owning a category and contributing directly to business performance, this role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What We’re Looking For

This is suited to a commercially minded retail professional with solid experience in category management, buying, or merchandise planning. You should be comfortable working with data, making commercially sound decisions, and building productive supplier relationships that contribute to growth and profitability.

• Background in category buying or a comparable commercial retail position.
• Strong business sense with the ability to improve sales, margin, and overall profitability.
• Hands-on experience with inventory control, demand forecasting, and stock optimisation.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate with suppliers and maintain effective relationships.
• Well-developed analytical capability with confidence interpreting sales, inventory, and market trends.
• Experience developing pricing and promotional approaches.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a busy, fast-moving setting.
• Exposure to DTC tools such as Shopify and inventory systems would be an advantage.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite role with a hybrid element of one work-from-home day each week. The position is based in Mangere, Auckland. The business is described as well-established and fast-growing, operating in the travel and leisure retail sector. The team structure includes one direct report. Compensation is negotiable, and the role is described as offering plenty of fun extras.

If you want to take ownership of a key category inside a successful and growing retail business, this could be a strong fit.