Category Manager, Furniture

• Up to £55,000
• Hybrid / Birmingham

We’re partnering with a dynamic, design-led lifestyle brand to recruit a commercial Category Manager to sit within their product team. This senior role offers the chance to take full ownership of a core product category, shaping strategy, guiding product development, and driving commercial performance. You’ll work closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver ranges that are both on-trend and commercially successful.

This is a strategic, hands-on position, ideal for someone who is passionate about homewares and furniture, and who enjoys leading projects from concept to launch, making data-driven decisions, and collaborating across multiple teams to bring products to market efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Leadership

• Develop and execute a long-term strategy for the category, identifying opportunities for new products, range extensions, and growth
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of products, from initial concept through launch, commercial performance, and retirement of lines
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and consumer insights to inform category planning and identify areas for differentiation

Product Development & Commercial Delivery

• Work with design and development teams to create products that align with brand identity and customer expectations
• Make decisions on pricing, range architecture, and promotional plans to maximise performance and profitability
• Collaborate with supply chain and sales teams to ensure products are delivered on time, to specification, and within margin targets

Process, Compliance & Quality

• Maintain oversight of product quality, sustainability requirements, and regulatory compliance
• Implement process improvements to streamline category management, supplier interactions, and product launches
• Support the accuracy of product information across marketing, merchandising, and retail channels

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate updates and plans across teams to ensure alignment on product strategy and category goals
• Work with other category leads to maintain consistency in brand execution across the business
• Provide insight and recommendations based on sales data and post-launch performance to guide future development

Who will love this job

This role will suit a commercially minded product expert who genuinely loves furniture and understands what makes a great product beyond just how it looks – from quality and construction through to pricing and long-term performance. You’ll thrive if you enjoy owning a category end-to-end, setting strategy, shaping briefs, and being the commercial voice that guides design rather than leaving the details to chance. If you’re someone who likes to get stuck in, works confidently with suppliers, enjoys collaborating across design, product ops and marketing, and takes pride in seeing ranges through from concept to launch, you’ll feel right at home. You’ll also appreciate a supportive, collaboration business where people are trusted to make decisions, learn from mistakes, speak up, and go the extra mile for categories they’re genuinely passionate about.

Requirements:

• Experience in category management or product development within consumer lifestyle, home, or FMCG sectors
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to oversee multiple product streams simultaneously
• Creative mindset with trend awareness and an ability to influence product design and innovation
• Collaborative and confident in communicating with multiple internal teams and external partners
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a focus on delivery

Diversity & Inclusion: ILMJ values diversity, equality, and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and identities.