Head of Catalogue

Who are OnBuy?

OnBuy are an online marketplace who are on a mission of being the best choice for every customer, everywhere.

We have recently been named one of the UK's fastest-growing tech companies in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 for the third year in a row (as well as 'Fastest-Growing Tech Business in the South West').

All achievements we are very proud of, but we don't let that go to our head. We are all laser focused on our mission and understand the huge joint effort ahead of us needed to succeed.

Working at OnBuy:

We are a team of driven and motivated people who thrive when working at pace. To succeed at OnBuy you need to take charge and fully own your responsibilities, rolling your sleeves up when needed to 'get it done'. Working at OnBuy you are surrounded by so much opportunity, but you must possess the ability to stay focused and prioritise ruthlessly. Most importantly, you will thrive in an ever-changing environment as we are constantly evolving.

At OnBuy, you're not just a number or another cog in a machine. We are creating something really special, and you have the opportunity to affect meaningful change and have your voice heard.

We are a close team, who have the opportunity to learn and grow as OnBuy evolves. We work in a flexible way, meaning we can prioritise our health and relationships, but when we are working, we graft.

Job overview:

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our team as Head of Catalogue. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of sellers and our buyers, driving the heart of OnBuy. We're looking for someone who can seamlessly blend analytical smarts with creative problem-solving. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of ecommerce ecosystems, a passion for understanding big data and optimising vast catalogues.

As Head of Catalogue, you will be responsible for shaping the future of our product discovery and presentation strategies. You'll leverage cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning, to create a best-in-class catalogue that delights our customers and drives business growth.

This role requires a combination of technical expertise, data analytics, commercial acumen, and customer UX. You'll be tasked with maintaining and optimising our existing catalogue and innovating new ways to categorise, present, and make discoverable the millions of products on our platform.

If you're excited by the challenge of turning complex data into seamless user experiences and have a track record of driving ecommerce success through strategic catalogue management, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

Catalogue Strategy and Structure:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive catalogue strategy that ensures we are extracting maximum value from one of our most valuable assets
• Design and maintain an efficient catalogue structure, taxonomy, and hierarchy
• Establish and enforce metadata standards to ensure consistency across the platform
• Own the catalogue taxonomy for both domestic and international markets

Product Creation and Optimisation

• Direct the creation of core products based on direct supplier relationships
• Lead the creation of products by leveraging supply feeds, data provider feeds, and AI to create strong, viable products with rich data
• Direct the improvement of existing products using external data
• Oversee the categorisation process and improve its efficiency
• Lead the automatic creation and management of ghost categories and search phrases
• Expand 'search phrases' to categories

Search Strategy and Implementation:

• Define and deliver a comprehensive search strategy for the catalogue that optimises search algorithms and user interfaces
• Analyse search data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
• Implement and refine strategies to ensure customers can find desired products more easily and frequently
• Oversee the management of search terms, synonyms, and related products to enhance discoverability
• Monitor and improve search relevance and conversion rates

Catalogue Quality and Integrity:

• Direct the merging of duplicate products
• Protect the catalogue and brands from incorrect barcodes
• Implement processes to exit bad-priced products using external data
• Ensure catalogue adherence to industry standards and regulations
• Implement quality control measures to maintain high data accuracy and consistency

Partner and Internal Collaboration:

• Work closely with partners to ensure high-quality product data and content
• Collaborate with Ops Sales, Marketing, and Tech teams to align catalogue initiatives
• Serve as the primary point of contact for catalogue-related queries and issues
• Act as a key stakeholder for integrations and integration mapping
• Work with seller support to drive enforcement of seller listing standards

Tools and Process Optimisation:

• Evaluate, implement, and optimise catalogue management tools and systems
• Develop and refine processes for efficient catalogue operations and data management
• Leverage AI to reduce operational needs within the catalogue function
• Automate routine tasks to improve productivity and data accuracy

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyse catalogue performance metrics and generate actionable insights
• Use data-driven decision-making to guide catalogue strategy and improvements

Brand Management:

• Own 'brand ownership' processes and policies
• Ensure proper representation and protection of brands within the catalogue

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices in catalogue management
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Regression Analysis or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in ecommerce catalogue management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful catalogue strategies
• Exemplary analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Excellent leadership abilities with experience managing and developing direct and indirect reports
• Advanced proficiency in catalogue management systems, PIM (Product Information Management) tools, and data analysis software
• Deep understanding of ecommerce best practices, SEO, and product taxonomy
• Experience with AI and machine learning applications in ecommerce
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience with large-scale data migration and catalogue restructuring projects is a plus

Benefits

The salary range on offer for this role is £70,000 - £90,000 per annum, depending on experience.

In return for helping us to grow, we’ll offer you company equity, meaning you own a piece of this business we are all working so hard to build.

Our Commitment

OnBuy is an equal opportunities employer. We are dedicated to creating a fair and transparent workforce, starting with a recruitment process that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.