The role in short
An opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Senior Category Manager with a proven track-record in the UK home improvement and/or enhancement sector. The ideal candidate will be hungry for their next challenge and relish the autonomy that comes with trading £25m+ product categories in an online environment. This is a varied role where the individual should be highly commercial, knowledgeable, and able to use their professional acumen and negotiation skills to maximise sales and margins in line with business objectives. Excellence in service and category authority is critical.
Perks of the job
Work your hours around you, as long as you get the job done you can work when is best for you!
31 days holiday (including bank holidays) bookable in hours making it super flexible for you
The option to buy and sell up to annual leave, to suit your personal needs
Access to our online platform for e-learning resources, hundreds of retail discounts, cycle to work scheme and car scheme
We offer attractive staff discount to you and your family!
Of course, we offer all the good stuff like life assurance, pension scheme, training and free onsite parking!
Free fruit onsite for employees, delivered weekly!
Onto the nitty gritty!
- Ownership and management of a range of strategic categories with a firm handle on ‘big picture’ and detail – this will include some of the company’s largest suppliers, with a combined spend of more than £25m per year
- Ensuring that sales, margin, and profit expectations are achieved, whilst maintaining market competitiveness
- Maximising key category performance with a ‘hands-on’ approach to pricing, availability, ranges, and suppliers
- Ability to identify, interpret and implement changes following research on market data and trends
- Responsibility for all aspects of merchandising, ensuring products are presented accurately on the website
- Developing and enhancing relationships with suppliers, ensuring they meet defined service requirements
- Regularly undertaking Product and Supplier range reviews to maximise revenue-generation and profitability
- Reviewing competitors and markets to identify new opportunities and range gaps
- Collaborating with the in-house marketing team, suggesting, and influencing commercial initiatives
- Ensuring all necessary administrative procedures are carried out with the team for which responsible.
We’d like to meet someone with
- Minimum of 5 years’ category management or equivalent experience in the UK home improvement sector
- Experience in multi-category FMCG or traditional P&H purchasing
- A keen eye for spotting opportunities and market trends, then acting upon them
- A skilled negotiator and relationship-builder with a proven track-record of growing revenue and margin
- A highly positive, enthusiastic individual who can work independently to drive new and existing categories
- Competent in Excel, with the ability to analyse and present data clearly to senior management
- Able to engage at all levels through inclusive, open and transparent communications and actions
- An ability to establish and meet deadlines for themselves and others
- A strong sense of urgency and time management to prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment
- Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to react quickly to changes
- A Commercial, flexible and customer first approach
- CIPS qualified to Level 4 (desirable)