Category Manager – Outerwear
Company Description:
The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.
Position Overview
As a Category Manager - Outerwear within our Supply Chain department, you will lead and manage a specific product category to align with Barbour’s brand and financial goals. Your primary focus will be optimising cost, fulfilment, and supplier relationships to drive profitability and market share. You will ensure our supply base remains ethically and environmentally compliant while leading a team that includes a Senior or Production Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Fulfilment & Service: Deliver +95% end-of-month fulfilment and ensure Sales Samples are delivered on time for launch.
- Sourcing & Costing: Develop multi-year category plans, identify supplier gaps, and maximise intake margins through strategic negotiation and costing exercises.
- Risk Management: Develop contingency plans for supply disruptions and monitor geopolitical, environmental, and economic risks.
- Sustainability: Support ethical trade targets, improve supply chain transparency, and assist the Ethical Trade Manager with factory compliance.
- Team Leadership: Identify skill gaps and implement Personal Development Plans (PDPs) for the Production team.
Skills and Experience:
- Industry Experience: Proven track record in category management within clothing, fashion, or retail, including product life cycle management. Specific experience working with textiles and clothing is a strong preference.
- Sourcing Expertise: Strong understanding of sourcing strategies, critical path management, and working with offshore manufacturers (e.g., APAC region).
- Technical Proficiency: Ability to conduct SWOT and risk assessments; experience with ERP or PLM systems is desirable.
- Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills for working cross-functionally with Design, Technical, and Logistics teams.
- Ethical Focus: Knowledge of sustainable sourcing practices and auditing standards (e.g., SAQs).
Benefits:
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
- Staff discount
- Staff shop
- Healthcare cash plan
- 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
- Access to training and development activities to support your career development
- Free onsite parking
- Subsidised canteen
- Operate hybrid & flexible working
- 4pm finish on a Friday
- Wellbeing support
- Refer a friend bonus scheme
- Reward & Recognition Program
- Length of Service Rewards
Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.