Retail Product Senior Category Specialist

Employment Type

Closing Date

Job Title

Job Summary

Job Description

We're an iconic Aussie brand with a global footprint. Our purpose is to build a connected future so everyone can thrive. We're all about providing the best experience and delivering the best tech on the best network.

This includes making Telstra the place you want to work.

For you, that means having a career that grows with you,and working with a team powered by human connection that prioritises wellbeing and choice.

What We Offer

• Flex appeal: choose where, when and how you work
• Performance-related pay
• Access to thousands of learning programs so you can level-up
• Global presence across 22 countries; opportunities to work where we do business.
• Purchased annual leave scheme
• Additional Telstra day off
• Additional 30% off Telstra products and services
• Toolkit provided (laptop + mobile phone + plan paid for)

What is the focus of the role?

The Retail Product Category team is part of the broader Retail Product & Cateogry management team at Telstra, who is responsible for optimising and localising product experiences across our network of +250 stores. As a specialist you will support the E2E category management of hardware devices and accessories in Retail including driving product range decisions, lifecycle management, and category performance. You will collaborate with central teams on forecasting and replenishment, analyse sales data and market trends, and implement trading strategies into our frontline teams. Additionally, you'll manage inventory compliance, develop shrinkage control strategies, and enhance customer satisfaction while reducing excess stock and costs.

What You’ll Do
As a Retail Product Senior Category Specialist, you excel in comprehensive category management, optimising product performance and inventory. You ensure the right products are available at the right time and place, engage with frontline teams, analyse sales data, and market trends, and collaborate with central teams on forecasting and replenishment. Your role is pivotal in maximising revenue, enhancing customer satisfaction, and maintaining inventory compliance, driving the overall success and competitive advantage of the retail strategy.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Product Category Specialist, you will leverage your expertise in product incubation, trading and commercialisation across multiple portfolios to drive strategic initiatives. Your role will focus on:

• Data-Driven Decision Making – Analyse sales data and market trends to provide actionable insights that optimise product performance at the local store level.
• Product Strategy & Ranging – Define and refine product assortments to align with customer needs, market demand, and category growth objectives.
• Category & Inventory Management – Oversee end-to-end category performance and trading events, ensuring effective lifecycle management, reducing slow-moving inventory, and minimising shrinkage.
• Performance: Understand reasons for under / over performance at a store level, and implement or influence initiatives to support uplifts.
• Forecasting & Replenishment – Collaborate with central teams to develop accurate product forecasting models and implement efficient replenishment strategies.
• Retail Execution & Space Planning – Optimise in-store product placement through strategic space planning to enhance customer experience and drive sales.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with key stakeholders across Retail, Consumer Segments, Vendors, Merchandising, and Supply Chain to align product strategies with business objectives.
• Process Improvement & Compliance – Continuously refine inventory management processes, ensure compliance, and provide training to retail teams on shrinkage control and inventory best practices.
• Industry & Market Insights – Stay ahead of market trends and best practices to inform and enhance retail product strategies.

About You

To be successful in the role, you'll have:

• Category & Inventory Management: Proven experience in category management, including trading cadences, effective inventory control and product lifecycle optimisation.
• Analytical Acumen: Strong analytical skills with a solid foundation in data analysis, trend analysis, market research, and strategic planning.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent active listening, communication, and influential skills, with a proven ability to negotiate and make sound decisions.
• Performance: Proven track record of delivering category performance uplifts across large store network and frontline teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in working collaboratively across teams, supported by strong project management capabilities.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: A proactive problem solver who leverages analytical thinking to drive innovative solutions and informed decision making.
• Product & Space Optimisation: Expertise in optimising in-store product range, experiences, space and product placement to maximise customer engagement and sales.
• Telecommunications or adjacent industry experience: Ideally you have a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in the industry, understanding the unique requirements of supporting category in a service-based environment

When you join our team, you become part of a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone is respected, valued and celebrated. We actively seek individuals from various backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities because we know that diversity not only strengthens our team but also enriches our work. We have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind, and we prioritise creating a workplace culture where everyone is safe and can thrive.

We work flexibly at Telstra. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you. When you apply, you can share your pronouns and / or any reasonable adjustments needed to take part equitably during the recruitment process.