As our Head of Category, you’ll be steering the ship for one of AO’s key trading areas, partnering with some of the UK’s biggest electrical brands to build a product range that really wows our customers. From shaping category strategy to driving sales, every day brings fresh challenges and big opportunities. You’ll work closely with brilliant teams across supply chain, marketing, e-commerce and more to make sure we deliver the UK’s best shopping experience. This role is full of ownership, influence and the chance to make a real impact - all within a fast-paced, collaborative environment where ideas don’t just fly, they soar.
Our people are our superpower, and we’re unstoppable when we’re together! We want your ideas to flow, and what better way to make that happen than being based onsite, 5 days a week, where our culture fuels creativity, collaboration and growth. If a £1 bet in the pub between two friends can become the UKs most trusted electrical retailer, imagine what else can be achieved when we’re together!
- Set the Strategy: Take full ownership of planning and range decisions for your category. You’ll define the vision, set ambitious availability targets across all channels, and make sure our customers always have the best choice at their fingertips.
- Keep Things Moving: Lead the way on major space and seasonal changes, ensuring smooth stock flow and efficient supplier management. You’ll spot opportunities to improve processes and keep everything running like clockwork.
- Lead the Team: Inspire and guide a talented buying and demand planning team. You’ll develop their skills, nurture future leaders, and create a high-performance culture where everyone strives for excellence.
- Drive Sales: Be accountable for all sales and promotional planning within your category. From seasonal campaigns to everyday pricing strategies, you’ll make sure we hit targets and deliver results.
- Own Supplier Relationships: Build strong partnerships with key suppliers, secure the best trading terms, and manage quarterly planning cycles to maximise commercial performance.
- Work as One AO: Collaborate with supply chain, marketing, service, and commercial teams to deliver a seamless experience for our customers and keep AO ahead of the competition.
- Stay on Budget: Keep a close eye on stock and waste, ensuring compliance with budgets and driving efficiency across the board.
- Currently operating as a Trading Manager, Category Manager, Head of Category or similar roles
- Experience leading and developing a high performing team is essential
- Strong , negotiation skills, ability to learn quickly, and confidence to respectfully challenge received wisdom
- Highly numerate, with great attention to detail, and a natural ability to use data to identify opportunities
- Self-motivated, strong collaboration skills, and a willingness to go above and beyond for the team
- Highly tenacious, an ability to work well under pressure, prioritise and work within tight timescales
We’re big on appliances and electricals, REALLY big. Washing machines, fridge freezers and TVs? They’re our bread and butter. Mobiles, Airwraps and Ring doorbells? Yep, those too. If it plugs in, powers up or makes life easier, AO probably has it.
But we’re more than that… For over 25 years, trust has been at the heart of everything we do, helping us become the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer. Our customers rate us 4.9 on Trustpilot from nearly ONE MILLION reviews and more 5-star ratings than any other UK electrical retailer, because they know they can rely on us and it’s the exact same for our AOers too.
We truly believe it’s more than just a job, we genuinely care about each other and our impact on making our customers lives easier, by helping them brilliantly. Everyone here knows how their role makes a difference. Our people are our superpower, so, when it comes to finding new AOers, we know it’s about more than just a CV, it’s about what makes you, YOU.
Our benefits are designed to cover the moments that matter. From health and wellness to giving back - you’ll be rewarded inside and outside of work.
- Holidays; 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
- Flexible benefits; Including 9% employer pension contribution, car allowance and private healthcare
- Opportunity to participate in the AO incentive programme
- Be a VIP at the AO Arena; we have loads of opportunities to win free tickets and pre-sale access!
- Health & wellbeing; discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GP’s, Mental Health support and much more.
- Discounts; exclusive discounts across our product range.
- Family leave; Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
- Making a difference; 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
- On site perks; start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised in house coffee shop!
To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.
