Head of Category

The Head of Category will be responsible for owning the product strategy and all elements within the product team. The achievement of predefined KPIs will be accomplished through the creation and continual review of robust and forward-looking plans that use the full skills and experience of the team.

The Head of Category will oversee the conception, development, innovation and continual improvement of all products here at BGA. Using the energy the successful candidate brings to the role they will be the primary driver of the product vision; overseeing the development and management of the overall product strategy. They will always have the customers’ needs at the forefront of the product strategy and be adaptable to emerging trends. They will be responsible for growing the product team, managing the department, and ensuring the functions of these positions are properly and effectively being executed.

Responsibilities will include:

* Creation and ownership of the product strategy

* Growing and managing the product management team

* Managing key stakeholders and ensuring the product strategy is engaged with across the entire business

* Achieving profitable growth across all product groups

* Implementing the go to market strategy – from strategic planning to tactical activities

* Manage the commercial performance of the products, analysing trends and identifying opportunities to increase revenues or margins

* Develop budgets, forecasts, metrics, and measures. Monitor and evaluation results

* Ensure cross functional collaboration

* Definition and implementation of the pricing strategy

* Developing a sustainable new to range development plan – using project management tools to ensure new to range targets are met

* Market the range and brand – keeping the products in the front of mind for all professional trades people

* Managing the entire product life cycle from cradle to the grave and all steps in between

* Have an understanding of our customers – they are why we exist, are you customer focused and do you understand what drives product through?

Key skills required:

* Excellent communication skills

* 3+ years of leadership and management experience (or a proven track record of success in a Product Managers role with a view to step up)

* Great people skills paired with a high level of assertiveness when it comes to leading people and making decisions

* Strong analytical, strategic and coordinating skills

* Commercial and financial analytical capabilities to inform product strategies and improve product performance

* Excellent IT skills especially Microsoft Office and in particular Excel (formulas, pivot tables)

* An interest in problem solving and an ability to assimilate data from multiple, and often contradictory sources in order to formulate a clear hypothesis and a practical way forward

* Results oriented – goes the extra mile

* Automotive aftermarket experience is preferred

Benefits include:

* Workplace Pension

* Free Parking

* Free tea and coffee

* Service gifts for 5,10,15 plus years

* Holiday increases for service