We are seeking an experienced Education Specialist (Contract) to help define, grow and optimise our education category across the Office National network. This is a hands-on, commercial role where you’ll bring deep expertise in education procurement, curriculum-based product ranges, and market trends to:
· Build and execute a clear education category strategy
· Optimise product ranges across school, childcare and institutional segments
· Align supplier partnerships and unlock growth opportunities
· Strengthen member capability to win and service education customers
· enhance our E commerce offering for parents, schools and students
You’ll play a critical role in positioning Office National as a trusted partner to schools, childcare centres and tertiary education providers. Your key responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Category Strategy & Range Optimisation
· Review current education ranges across stationery, curriculum resources, furniture and early learning
· Identify opportunities to expand, rationalise or enter new segments
· Build a clear category architecture aligned to education needs and procurement behaviours
Supplier & Range Development
· Assess supplier performance, pricing and product suitability
· Identify and onboard new suppliers aligned to strategy
· Develop exclusive ranges and private label opportunities
· Ensure supply readiness for seasonal demand (e.g. Back to School)
· Pricing, Market Positioning & Procurement
· Review competitor positioning and recommended pricing strategies
· Support bulk pricing, tender requirements and contract frameworks
· Provide guidance on school procurement processes and tender opportunities
Category Growth & Expansion
· Identify opportunities across early learning, classroom resources and education furniture
· Support expansion into complementary categories and solutions
· Ensure alignment to classroom use, compliance and customer needs
Digital & Go-to-Market
· Contribute to development of an education specialist site (including BTS journeys and bulk ordering)
· Work with marketing on catalogues, campaigns and promotional strategies
· Strengthen engagement across key trading periods (e.g. Back to School)
Member Capability & Sales Enablement
· Equip members with tools, frameworks and training
· Help members win new education customers and grow existing accounts
· Support large-scale order management and long-term customer relationships
About You
You are commercially minded, strategic and hands-on, with strong experience in education or category management. You’ll bring:
· Proven experience in the education sector or category management
· Strong understanding of education products and supply markets
· Demonstrated experience in range development and optimisation
· Supplier management and negotiation
· Pricing and commercial strategy
· Private label sourcing
· Ability to translate market insights into actionable category plans
· Experience working with dealer networks or B2B models (preferred)
Why This Role?
Shape a high-volume, high-growth category with strong commercial impact. Work across a broad, evolving product portfolio. Drive meaningful outcomes for a national member network. Versatile contract engagement with clear deliverables and impact.