Category Assistant – 2026 Opportunities!

Category Assistant – Buying Support

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)

Working hours per week: 40 hours – Full Time

Level: Entry level

Application Closing Date: We are always on the lookout for great talent, and are currently building our talent pipeline for 2026 Category Assistant roles. This is not an immediate opening, but by applying here, you'll be considered for upcoming positions. We'll review your skills and experience, and if they align with the requirements for the role, we'll reach out to you directly when a new opportunity becomes available.

About Us

Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value.

We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.

About The Team And The Role

As a Category Assistant, you will provide administrative and commercial support to the Buying team for your category/categories. As part of the central Category Administration Team, you will also support the broader Buying team, as required. You will be responsible for a variety of administrative and commercial tasks, with a key focus on accuracy, efficiency, and proactiveness to ensure the product range and trading plans are optimised to support the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.

What You’ll Do

• Ensure all administrative tasks assigned by the Category Administration Manager are completed ahead of the deadline and managed as agreed between the Buyer and Supplier
• Provide regular, clear updates to senior stakeholders on the status of administrative tasks, identifying any risks in advance and working to mitigate.
• Work within critical path deadlines for all accountabilities, working at pace whilst ensuring accuracy.
• Maintain and set up product listings and promotions
• Supplier set up, onboarding, and management
• Action price establishment/price changes
• Media loading – review banners before ‘Go Live’ on the webshop
• Assist the Customer Centre promptly with responses to customer queries.
• Support with training on an ad-hoc basis.
• Adhere to Ocado Retail values and comply with GSCOP and Competition Law.
  
  

Who You Are

• Strong administrative skills – MS Office (including Excel)
• Highly organised and able to manage changing priorities
• Excellent communication
• Previous experience in a fast-paced retail admin or buying environment is preferable
  
  

What’s In It For You

By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.

If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:

Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.

Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.

Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.

Our Hiring Process

Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.

Your Application and AI

In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.

Everyone’s welcome

We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.