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Junior Category Manager - Home & Living - Job Opportunity at Kogan

South Melbourne, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 8, 2025
On-site
AUD 65,000 - AUD 80,000 per year based on junior to mid-level category management roles in Melbourne's competitive e-commerce market, with potential for performance-based bonuses given Kogan's commercially-focused environment

Benefits

Comprehensive employee wellness program supporting physical and mental health initiatives
Complimentary Kogan First Membership providing premium access to exclusive deals and priority services
Exclusive team member discounts across Kogan's extensive product portfolio
Structured learning and development programs including lunch and learn sessions
Innovation-focused hackathons fostering creative problem-solving and technical skills
Lucrative team member referral program rewarding successful candidate introductions
Regular company and team events promoting work-life balance and team cohesion
Community engagement opportunities through organized volunteering programs
Extensive career development pathways within Australia's leading e-commerce platform

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic category expansion by identifying high-impact commercial opportunities and developing innovative product lines that capture emerging market trends
Build and manage international supplier relationships for Kogan's Exclusive Brands portfolio, establishing strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning
Orchestrate comprehensive category operations including promotional planning, inventory optimization, and logistics coordination to consistently exceed monthly revenue and profit targets
Lead cross-functional stakeholder engagement both internally and externally, building strategic relationships that drive measurable business outcomes
Maximize category profitability through deep market intelligence and competitive analysis, positioning products for optimal market performance
Champion innovation within the category by proactively identifying customer needs and market gaps, continuously evolving the product offering
Execute strategic price negotiations and implement dynamic pricing strategies across multiple sales channels to maintain market leadership
Manage end-to-end product lifecycle from introduction through inventory optimization, ensuring seamless customer fulfillment and demand satisfaction
Partner with Marketing and Promotions teams to optimize product discoverability and enhance customer journey experiences through strategic merchandising
Conduct comprehensive performance analysis and range reviews, implementing data-driven decisions that strengthen category positioning

Requirements

Education

University Degree qualified in a relevant field (Commerce, Business, Economics or similar)

Experience

Experienced with Category ownership, at either an Assistant or Junior Category Manager level, or have supported a Category Manager with exposure / ownership of a product range and ready to step up to have full category ownership

Required Skills

Experience within an eCommerce, Retail or FMCG environment and / or Home & Living categories Comfortable building and maintaining effective relationships, through exceptional communication and engagement Highly analytical and possess commercial nous, being able to recognise opportunity and make quick decisions for the best commercial outcomes Comfortable working within a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Being agile and adaptable A whiz with Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP and pivot tables) Tech savvy and able to use various IT and cloud-based tools to improve efficiency and productivity
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Australian e-commerce market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with home and living categories showing particularly strong performance as consumers increasingly prioritize home improvement and comfort following global lifestyle shifts. This trend is driving demand for category management professionals who can navigate the complex landscape of supplier relationships and inventory optimization. Digital-first retail strategies are becoming essential as traditional brick-and-mortar retailers struggle to compete with pure-play e-commerce platforms. Companies like Kogan are leveraging their technological infrastructure and data analytics capabilities to gain market share through superior customer experience and competitive pricing. Supply chain diversification and international sourcing have become critical competitive advantages, particularly in the home and living sectors where product variety and cost optimization directly impact market positioning. Category managers who can effectively manage global supplier relationships are increasingly valuable. The rise of exclusive brand portfolios and private label products in e-commerce is reshaping the retail landscape, with companies seeking to differentiate themselves through unique product offerings that cannot be easily compared on price alone.

Role Significance

Typically manages relationships with 5-15 key suppliers while collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing, logistics, and finance. The role involves coordinating with multiple stakeholders across different time zones for international sourcing activities.
This role represents a significant step-up opportunity for emerging category management professionals, offering substantial autonomy and direct P&L responsibility while reporting to senior leadership. The position combines strategic thinking with operational execution, making it ideal for professionals ready to transition from support roles to full category ownership.

Key Projects

End-to-end product launches for new home and living categories International supplier partnership development and negotiation Category performance optimization through data-driven analysis and strategic pricing Cross-functional promotional campaign development and execution Inventory forecasting and supply chain optimization initiatives

Success Factors

Developing strong analytical capabilities to interpret complex market data and translate insights into actionable commercial strategies that drive measurable business outcomes Building exceptional stakeholder management skills to effectively coordinate with suppliers, internal teams, and senior leadership while maintaining focus on commercial objectives Mastering advanced Excel and data analysis tools to support sophisticated inventory forecasting, pricing optimization, and performance tracking in a fast-paced e-commerce environment Cultivating deep market knowledge of home and living trends to identify emerging opportunities and anticipate customer demand shifts before competitors Demonstrating agility and adaptability in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape where market conditions, supplier relationships, and customer preferences can change quickly

Market Demand

High demand driven by Australia's rapidly expanding e-commerce sector and the critical importance of category management in driving revenue growth and market share expansion

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced Excel proficiency including VLOOKUP and pivot tables is absolutely essential for daily operations, as category managers must manipulate large datasets for inventory analysis, pricing optimization, and performance tracking. This technical skill directly impacts the ability to make informed commercial decisions and identify market opportunities. Commercial acumen and analytical thinking capabilities are fundamental to success, as the role requires constant evaluation of market conditions, competitor pricing, and customer demand patterns to optimize category performance and maintain competitive advantage in Australia's dynamic e-commerce market. Stakeholder management and communication skills are critical for coordinating with international suppliers, internal teams, and senior leadership while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Beneficial Skills

Experience in home and living categories provides valuable context for understanding seasonal trends, customer preferences, and supplier landscape dynamics that can accelerate time-to-productivity and enhance strategic decision-making capabilities E-commerce platform experience and familiarity with digital marketing concepts enable better collaboration with technical teams and more effective product positioning strategies International business experience and cultural awareness facilitate more effective supplier relationship management and global sourcing strategies, particularly important given Kogan's focus on exclusive brand development

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work with Australia's e-commerce pioneer, gaining experience with cutting-edge retail technology and data-driven decision making that sets industry standards
Direct involvement in exclusive brand development and international sourcing, providing rare exposure to end-to-end product development processes typically reserved for senior roles
Access to comprehensive market data and analytics tools that enable sophisticated category analysis and strategic planning capabilities
Exposure to ASX-listed company operations and reporting requirements, providing valuable corporate governance and financial acumen experience
Opportunity to influence customer experience for millions of Australian and New Zealand consumers through strategic category decisions and product curation

Career Growth

Progression to Senior Category Manager typically occurs within 2-3 years with strong performance, while advancement to leadership roles generally requires 4-6 years of demonstrated success in category management and team development

Potential Next Roles

Senior Category Manager with expanded portfolio responsibility and team leadership opportunities Category Director overseeing multiple product categories and junior category managers Head of Merchandising or Buying with strategic responsibility for entire product divisions General Manager roles with P&L responsibility for major business units Supply Chain Director positions focusing on strategic sourcing and vendor relationships

Company Overview

Kogan

Kogan operates as Australia's pioneering pure-play e-commerce platform, having established itself as a disruptive force in the retail landscape through its technology-first approach and direct-to-consumer model. As an ASX-listed company, Kogan has demonstrated consistent growth and market expansion, positioning itself as a significant competitor to traditional retailers and international e-commerce giants.

Kogan holds a strong position as one of Australia's leading e-commerce platforms, with significant market share in electronics, home goods, and lifestyle products. The company's focus on exclusive brands and competitive pricing has enabled it to compete effectively against both local and international competitors.
Based in Melbourne, this role offers exposure to Kogan's Asia-Pacific operations and international supplier networks, providing valuable experience in global e-commerce operations and cross-border trade relationships that are increasingly important in the modern retail landscape.
Kogan's culture emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and rapid decision-making, reflecting its startup origins and continued focus on disrupting traditional retail models. The company values analytical thinking, commercial acumen, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
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