Commercial Category Assistant - 12 Months Contract

WHO WE ARE Avolta is the world’s leading travel experience player. With a traveller-centric philosophy and a geographically diverse network, the travel retail and F&B company addresses the needs of up to 2.3 billion passengers each year, with 5,500 outlets in more than 75 countries across six continents. Guided by their Destination 2027 strategy and boosted by their recent combination with travel F&B giant Autogrill, the company is well positioned to realise their ambition to create a Travel Experience Revolution through their many locations at airports, motorways, cruise lines, seaports and railway stations amongst others. Avolta is committed to and focused on four key areas, where we want to have a positive impact: customer experience; employee wellbeing and advancement; protecting the environment. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE Join our Team as a Category Assistant Planner and help drive the commercial performance of our department You’ll support the Category Manager by analysing sales promotions, and profitability to optimise trading opportunities. You’ll manage end to end process, ensuring accurate assortment plans, inventory data and promotional strategies. This role involves collaborating with internal and external partners to deliver key KPIs while also managing local UK category requirements and building relationships with global category managers. If you’re detail orientated, analytical and ready to make an impact, we want to hear from you RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting & Analysis · Performance Insights: Provide category and product performance analysis, identifying trends and supporting data-driven decisions. · Data Accuracy: Maintain accurate data for insightful reporting and trend analysis. · Trend Spotting: Analyse data to uncover commercial trends, presenting actionable insights and opportunities. · Promotions & Space: Track and evaluate promotional event performance and space utilisation. · Weekly Trade: Deliver Monday trade analysis to inform trading decisions. SKU, Pricing & Promotions · SKU Management: Set up and maintain SKUs, communicating updates to relevant teams. · Lifecycle Management: Oversee product lifecycle from launch to discontinuation. · Process Efficiency: Drive process improvements for streamlined SKU, price, and promotional management. · Vendor Setup: Onboard new vendors with portal setup and support. Systems Optimisation · System Expertise: Develop knowledge in SAP, BI Reporting, and other tools to optimise category management. · Quarterly Updates: Coordinate quarterly product and price changes with cross-functional teams. · Provide direct project management assistance on smaller-scale projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and overall project goals. Collaboration and Coordination · Cross-Department Coordination: Collaborate with Marketing, Store, Supply Chain, and other teams to ensure smooth execution of product ranges and promotions. · Vendor and Store Support: Work closely with vendors and stores to ensure stock availability, smooth implementation and performance tracking. Strategic Projects · Project Support: Assist with planning and execution of strategic projects, including store openings and process enhancements. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR · Proven experience in Category Planning or similar role in a fast-paced environment. · Strong analytical skills with a meticulous, data-driven approach. · High accuracy and attention to detail, with a “right-first-time” mindset. · Proficient in MS Excel, Outlook, and various systems (SAP, BW Analysis, Service Now). · Friendly, approachable, and a clear communicator (written & verbal). · Excellent organizational skills, able to manage multiple projects effectively. · Adaptable, deadline-oriented multitasker who thrives in a team and independently. · Eager to learn and expand skills. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, we welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experience and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.