Head of Category Development & Trading

The Bike Club is a UK- and DE-based subscription service focused on childrens bikes that can be exchanged as customers needs change. Founded in 2016 Bike Club operates an online platform that provides flexible affordable access to high-quality bikes through monthly subscriptions. Our subscriptions enable families to avoid large upfront costs and reduce waste by refurbishing and re-distributing returned bikes.

The Bike Clubs model supports a circular economy by significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared with traditional bike ownership and repurposing pre-used bikes for new members. Bike Club has grown rapidly attracted substantial investment including from Circularity Capital expanded internationally achieved B-Corp certification and currently serves tens of thousands of members with nationwide delivery across the UK.

This is a pivotal role at an exciting moment in The Bike Clubs journey. As we expand our channel portfolio and grow our category breadth to increase our total addressable market the Head of / Category Development Lead will be at the heart of that ambition - owning the end-to-end product and range strategy that puts the right product in front of the right customer at the right time and price.

You will bring sharp commercial instincts a data-led approach to buying and trading and the ability to build strong supplier and brand relationships. This is a role with real scope and autonomy an opportunity to shape a function that is still being built and leave a lasting mark on the business.

Tasks

• Data & Trading: You own day-to-day trading performance and report on this to the business. As part of this you own category performance reporting at regular trading reviews and identifying risks and opportunities early. You will define and agree trading KPIs across the business and take clear accountability for delivery.
• Ranging Management: Own the demand forecast and translate it into a brand and range strategy that drives growth and member satisfaction. Define share-of-shelf across the assortment manage disposal and clearance and define end-of-life product positioning to protect margin. Identify and size offer expansion opportunities as the business scales and build the commercial case for range investment.
• Strategic Brand Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and brand partners negotiating terms that support margin objectives and commercial growth across all categories. Represent Bike Club as a credible and ambitious partner as the brand portfolio evolves.
• Seasonal Activation: Own the seasonal planning process end-to-end defining key buying moments across the trading calendar. Set campaign targets at category level and drive SKU selection to maximise performance across peak trading periods. Align product and ranging strategy with broader marketing campaigns to emphasise seasonal shopping habits.
• Pricing & Margin: Own the pricing strategy across the business with a clear value tiering framework from entry-level through to premium. Define lifecycle discount and promotion strategies that manage margin from launch through to clearance ensuring all promotional activity is deliberate measurable and margin-conscious.
• Inventory & Supply: Set the inventory strategy and own stock targets to ensure availability is optimised across the range. Define the clearance approach and actively manage exit residual values a critical lever in Bike Clubs subscription and refurbishment model. Map inventory to seasonal marketing strategies And ensure availability at key periods whilst protecting against end-of-season overstocks.

Requirements

• Proven experience in cat. management buying or trading ideally within a consumer e-comm or subs environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of owning or materially influencing P&L outcomes at category level.
• Confident working with data to build forecasts set targets and drive trading decisions.
• Deep understanding of pricing architecture value tiering and lifecycle discount and promotion mechanics.
• Experience managing supplier or brand relationships and negotiating commercial terms.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage a seasonal calendar and multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Collaborative and cross-functional by nature - comfortable working across marketing operations and technology.
• Passion for sustainability circularity or active family lifestyle brands is a plus.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Enhance maternity / paternity
• Private medical insurance
• 30 on Bike Club subscriptions

Join The Bike Club as Head of Category Development & Trading. Lead sustainable growth in the childrens bike sector.