Assistant Category Manager – Apparel | 12-Month Parental Leave Contract

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Macpac is hiring an Assistant Category Manager for Apparel on a 12-month parental leave contract, full-time and onsite in Christchurch. You’ll partner with the Senior Category Manager to bring apparel ranges to life through commercial insight, customer understanding and cross-functional collaboration across product, planning, marketing, digital, retail and supply chain. Key focus areas include apparel category excellence, data-driven decision making, range planning, governance and delivering timely promotions while maintaining compliance. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight proven apparel category experience, quantify sales and margin impact, and demonstrate cross-functional projects and data analytics, plus a concise cover letter showing you’re collaborative, adaptable and aligned with Macpac’s outdoor ethos and customer focus, including your ability to manage multiple priorities and influence stakeholders.

We're looking for an Assistant Category Manager to join our Merchandise team and play a key role in bringing our apparel categories to life. As a trusted partner to the Senior Category Manager, you'll combine commercial insight, customer understanding and a passion for product to help deliver category strategies that drive sales, profitability and exceptional customer experiences. You'll work across product, planning, marketing, digital, retail and supply chain teams to ensure our apparel ranges are compelling, relevant and ready for our customers.

What You’ll Be Doing…

• Sales & Category Performance - Analyse category performance (sales, margin, KPIs and customer insights) to identify growth opportunities and support category decision-making.
• Product & Range Support - Support category and range strategy through data-led insights, cross-functional planning, promotional analysis and continuous process improvement.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration & Communication - Partner effectively across teams to deliver accurate, timely promotions and category initiatives, ensuring clear communication and issue resolution.
• Administration, Compliance & Governance - Maintain strong governance through accurate administration, campaign sign-off, trade partner tracking and compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Development & Capability Building - Build commercial and category capability through feedback, learning, industry awareness and contribution to a customer‑centric improvement culture.

 What You'll Bring…

• Apparel Category Expertise - Proven experience in Category Management, Buying or a similar commercial retail role, with apparel category experience essential.
• Commercial & Category Acumen - Strong understanding of category management principles, range planning, product lifecycle management and commercial decision-making.
• Data-Driven Decision Making - Demonstrated ability to analyse data, identify opportunities and translate insights into commercial outcomes.
• Thriving in a Fast-Paced Environment - Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines and competing workstreams, with exceptional organisation and attention to detail.
• Stakeholder Influence & Collaboration - Confident stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence, engage and collaborate across cross-functional teams. 

Why Join Macpac?

We're passionate about equipping people for a life outdoors. For more than 50 years, we've been designing quality gear and apparel that empowers adventure, while staying committed to sustainability and responsible retail practices.

• Commitment to your professional development and will support on-going opportunities for both learning and progression.  
• Access to generous discounts across Super Retail Group brands, as well as access to our Perks Programme, including discounts on Health and Wellbeing, Entertainment, Travel and Accommodation and more.  
• Be part of a highly collaborative team that values curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Grow your expertise in apparel, one of Macpac's most dynamic and customer-driven categories.
• Access flexible working options that support work-life balance.

Ready for Your Next Adventure? If you're an experienced category professional with a strong apparel background and you're looking for an opportunity to expand your commercial capability while working with an iconic outdoor brand, we'd love to hear from you. 

Apply today and help shape the future of Macpac's apparel category. 

Our Culture of Inclusion: Super Retail Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We support, promote and celebrate diversity and we recognise the benefits a culture of inclusion brings to our workplace and customer experience.