Assistant Category Manager

Who are we?

Animates is New Zealand’s largest pet care specialist, with 48 retail stores, 27 grooming salons and 15 vet clinics working together to support the wellbeing of pets and the people who love them. Every day, our teams help pet parents make informed decisions through trusted advice, quality products, and expert services.

We're looking for an ambitious and commercially minded team member to join our Merchandise team as an Assistant Category Manager at our Support Office.

This is an exciting development opportunity for someone looking to build their career in Category Management. Working closely with an experienced Category Manager, you'll gain exposure across the full category management function, developing the skills, knowledge and commercial acumen needed to progress your career.

• 40 hours per week - Full-Time Permanent
• Hybrid Working, Office Days: Tuesday & Wednesday

What you'll be doing:

• Support the day-to-day management and performance of assigned categories
• Assist with category planning, reporting and commercial analysis
• Analyse sales, margin, inventory and category performance data to identify opportunities and trends
• Support range reviews, promotional planning and pricing activity
• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships
• Coordinate supplier meetings, actions and business reviews
• Work closely with Planning to support stock availability and inventory performance
• Partner with Marketing, Operations and Store teams to support successful execution of category initiatives
• Maintain accurate product, pricing and supplier information across business systems
  

About you:

• You're someone who is eager to learn, enjoys working with data and is motivated to build a long-term career in Category Management
• Experience in merchandising, category, planning, retail or another commercial environment
• Commercially curious and eager to understand what drives category performance
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Confident communicating with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Motivated to learn and develop toward a future Category Manager career path

This role offers exposure across the full Category Management function and is ideal for someone currently working in a Category Specialist, Merchandise Planning, Store Operations or similar role who is ready for their next challenge.
You'll join a supportive team that values knowledge sharing, development and collaboration, while helping deliver better outcomes for our stores, customers and their pets.

Why join us:

• Generous discounts across our products and services
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• A paid volunteer day to support a cause that matters to you
• Paid parental leave benefits to support your growing family
• Access to EAP and a network of accredited Mental Health First Aiders
• Pets in the office regularly — and yes, your well-behaved pet can come too
• A convenient Ellerslie Support Office location with easy access to transport, motorways, free parking, cafes, and local amenities

Why you’ll love Animates:
We’re proud to offer a genuinely supportive and inclusive culture where leaders care about wellbeing, collaboration is valued, and our PACKT values are lived every day.
We’re proud to be a Rainbow Tick Certified Employer, and we encourage you to bring your whole self to work.

We’re also honoured to be the first organisation in Aotearoa to achieve Gold-level recognition in the Mental Health First Aid Workplace Recognition Programme, reflecting our genuine commitment to mental health, wellbeing and creating a workplace where people feel supported, connected, and safe.

If you’re looking for a role where you can make an impact, grow your career, and help build great teams in a business that truly cares, we’d love to hear from you.