Category product management: Melissa Webb

Name: Melissa Webb

Job: Category product manager

Employer: The Co-operative Group

Area of work: Category product management (similar to Buying)

Qualifications: BA English and history, University of York

I wanted to work in head office, which seemed like a natural continuation of my experience of working in shops. When I started a graduate programme with my employer, my first placement was in buying: I really enjoyed being at the commercial forefront, working with suppliers and products.

My job

I’m responsible for confectionery and household products, and work alongside buyers and merchandisers to develop new products that fill gaps in the market. To do this, I work with suppliers and the quality assurance, product assessment and range development teams. While the buyer does the negotiation, I attend ‘taste panels’, monitor performance when the product becomes part of our range, and answer any queries about the product. I also manage our artwork system to ensure that designs are produced to deadline, working with the design agency to check that we like how it looks and that the text on packaging is correct. On a typical day I might liaise with suppliers, resolve artwork issues, analyse market data for range reviews, conduct store visits and answer customer queries.

Part of the process

The artwork process must be completed weeks before products go on to shelves, so it’s a lengthy process and it can be frustrating chasing people. But I love being involved in product development – it’s exciting to see new products before anyone else does.