Category Manager

Here at Hays we are working with a leading retailer based in Wakefield to recruit a Category Manager. This is a full-time position on a fixed-term contract till January 2026. This vacancy is paying £42,000 (pro rata) and you will be required to be on site 4 days a week in Normanton, along with some brilliant company benefits.

As Category Manager, you will be responsible for owning all elements of the product lifecycle within the agreed category. You will be driving the category forward and developing the product range, new brands and supplier relationships. The Category Manager will be representing their category across the Group and develop strong interdepartmental links and facilitate improvements to processes and outcomes.

Key responsibilities for this role:

• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best business package for the Group including agreeing terms for rebates, MDF, annual and quarterly targets.
• Build category plans for key suppliers/key categories that support the Group's aspirations for revenue and profit growth.
• Understand the category, competitors, suppliers and market dynamics.
• Identification and development of long-term suppliers for existing and new products in accordance with the business strategy and range control plans.
• Present category plans to senior management.
• Through the product management team manage the full process of bringing new products to market, including communication with the relevant departments, key areas being inventory, operations and marketing.
• Report on supplier performance and manage communication with suppliers on issues and improvement plans where required.
• Understand and monitor product and supplier compliance in line with company terms and conditions and keep up to date with differences between EU and UK product certification.
• Build strong relationships with key personnel, interfacing at different levels with key supplier contacts.

Experience and qualifications required

• Proven experience of being a strong negotiator and having supplier relationship management skills.
• Experience of managing the end-to-end sales process including sourcing, stockholding, pricing, operations and how they relate to, and impact true profitability.
• Experience of managing a team is essential.
• Proven ability to project plan the introduction of new products and resourcing existing lines.
• The ability to successfully deliver multiple projects simultaneously.

If this role sounds of interest please click 'apply' to be considered.

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