Group Category Manager, Apparel

Are you a commercially driven apparel professional with strong expertise in buying, sourcing and private label development?

Are you motivated by leading teams, building assortments and driving profitable category growth in an international retail environment?

About Tokmanni Group

Tokmanni Group is one of the leading discount retailer chains inNordics with a strong and growing position in Apparel and Footwear. Our offering combines attractive pricing, quality and relevance, supported by scale, long‑term supplier partnerships and strong private label competence.

Our Buying & Sourcing organization has recently transitioned into a one‑company operating model, creating a more integrated, global way of working. This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed structure in a fresh and dynamic environment where development and collaboration are at the core.

Within Apparel Buying & Sourcing, nearly twenty professionals work across Clothing and Footwear. In this role you get to collaborate closely with fellow Group Category Manager in Shoes category, other sourcing professionals and Tokmanni’s in‑house apparel design team.

About the role

We are now looking for a Group Category Manager to take global business responsibility for plans and performance within selected Apparel category group(s).

As Group Category Manager, you will lead category strategy, operations and team collaboration in line with Tokmanni Group’s new global category management model. The exact category scope will be defined based on your experience, expertise and interests within the Apparel area.

You will report to the Group Category Director, be a member of the Category team, and act as a line manager for your team. The category team is currently mainly located in Finland.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the category business area and team operations with a strong focus on profitability
• Act as a people manager for Nordic Category Managers in Mäntsälä and a Sourcing Expert in Kista office. This role may also include acting as a manager for our design team in Mäntsälä.
• Drive and support category planning, including department and main group plans based on assortment strategy
• Develop and ensure high‑quality, sustainable sourcing of private label assortments
• Manage supplier relationships and lead procurement negotiations
• Ensure price competitiveness, margin development and overall category profitability
• Set and follow up sales, margin and inventory turnover targets, and manage the team’s expense budget
• Oversee marketing, campaign and pricing planning within your category area
• Hold selected hands‑on procurement responsibilities, agreed separately

What we expect from you

To succeed in this role, you bring:

• Education in commerce and/or the fashion/apparel field, combined with solid experience in retail or discount retail within the Apparel category, including private label business.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience with a proven track record in category management, business development and procurement across online channels and physical stores.
• Strong commercial and sourcing expertise, including international sourcing, supplier management, assortment building, negotiations, budgeting and leading profitable category operations
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, including experience in collaboration, change leadership and leading category teams.
• Strategic and goal‑oriented way of working, with analytical and systematic thinking
• Ability to perform well in a fast‑paced environment and collaborate with various stakeholders
• Excellent project management skills
• Fluency in English and Finnish is a must, both written and spoken. Swedish language skills are an asset.
• Ability to lead and engage multicultural teams in line with Tokmanni Group’s values and strategy

We offer you:

• A senior, group‑level role in a growing, international listed company, one of the leading Nordic discount retailers, with strong ambitions to further develop its Apparel business.
• A business‑critical leadership position where you shape category strategy, drive performance and contribute to the evolution of group‑level category management within Buying & Sourcing
• A genuine opportunity to influence and make an impact, working closely with cross‑functional stakeholders and Tokmanni’s highly skilled in‑house Apparel Design team
• A flexible hybrid working model (2 days at the office / 3 days remote) and competitive employee benefits, including staff discounts for you and your family, incentive bonus system, wellbeing and culture benefits, staff restaurant, and access to Eduhouse online learning.

Application instructions and additional information

The position is permanent and full-time (37.5 hours/week) and is located at our Headquarters in Mäntsälä, Finland. Hybrid work is possible according to Tokmanni Group´s policies. This role involves travelling.

Further information will be given by Group Category Director Tiina Ritari +358 50 3385 652 on Friday April 24th between 12.30-2 pm Finnish time. Tuesday April 28th between 2 and 4 pm Finnish time and May 6th between 2 and 4 pm Finnish time or by email [email protected].

Apply for the position as soon as possible and no later than May 12th by filling out the application form. We will start interviews during the application period. Please note that we only accept applications submitted through the application form.