Brand & Category Director | Founder

Location: ‘s-Hertogenbosch | Hybrid

About the role
We’re looking for a Brand & Category Director to strengthen our Brand & Category team as it grows from four to five colleagues, supported by two team members. You will own two to three product categories and act as the central point for a focused portfolio multiple global brand relationships.

This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who combines strategic category and portfolio thinking with a hands-on, business-first mentality. You will represent L with major international brands, often engaging senior decision-makers, while coordinating Portfolio Sales, Sourcing, Product Development and Design to turn commercial opportunities into scalable, high-quality assortments.

Key responsibilities

• Category & portfolio ownership: Define and continuously develop the architecture of categories, including positioning, assortment logic, portfolio gaps, range depth and lifecycle decisions. 
• Global brand partnerships: Build and maintain trusted relationships with Lifestyle brands. Serve as their first point of contact, align brand objectives with commercial opportunities and navigate complex international organizations with credibility. 
• Portfolio development: Translate market feedback, pitches and sales opportunities into clear portfolio choices. Work closely with Portfolio Sales to shape what we can offer and how each brand contributes to the wider portfolio. 
• End-to-end process leadership: Act as the hub across Sourcing, Product Development, Design and Sales. Keep decisions, evaluations and delivery moving, with a clear focus on completing brand agreements and reviews within commercial timelines. 
• Performance & lifecycle management: Review brand and category performance regularly, using sell-through, margin, trend and inventory insights to guide launches, refreshes, and end-of-life decisions. 
• Brand building at scale: Help partners see the full value of working with L by connecting significant product volumes with positive brand building and opportunities for international expansion through loyalty campaigns. 

• 10+ years of relevant experience in category management, brand management, portfolio management, buying or strategic sourcing.
• Experience working for or closely with consumer brands, combined with a strong feel for products, trade and commercial decision-making. 
• The confidence to manage senior stakeholders at large international brands and to remain effective under pressure. 
• A practical, business-first mindset. You think ahead strategically and are equally comfortable getting into the operational detail. .

• International experience or responsibility across multiple markets and cultures. 
• Experience with Lifestyle products and global consumer brands. 

• A role in shaping the narrative of the market leader in tactical loyalty
• A dynamic, international and entrepreneurial environment where bold ideas are valued
• Career growth opportunities and a culture of collaboration, feedback, innovation and impact
• A beautiful office space in the heart of Den Bosch
• Access to L’s state-of-the-art gym
• Flexible working-from-home arrangements
• A generous pension plan contribution