Category Manager

OverviewJoin to apply for the Category Manager (7059) role at Cromwell.With a focus on the Cutting Tools category, this role is responsible for developing and managing a product portfolio to drive sales and profitable growth, using market intelligence and industry knowledge to ensure we have the best products to service our customers. You will work in partnership with our centrally managed suppliers and in collaboration with cross-functional colleagues to maximise supplier commercial opportunities, ensuring the most competitive procurement costs and increasing supplier income.What you will do on a normal dayDefine & Execute Category Strategy including Exclusive Brand developmentComplete high quality range reviews addressing relevance portfolio opportunities using the situational analysis 5 lens approach.Drive Exclusive BrandDevelop plans to improve sales and margin whilst creating a compelling exclusive range that creates “stickiness for our customers”.Marketing InitiativesWork with suppliers to develop and execute marketing programs geared towards profitable revenue growth, thinking digital first.Drive product performance using digital and offline channels.Product Life Cycle ManagementManage product introduction, growth, maturity, and exit including driving through excess/obsolete inventory.Category portfolio analysisAnalysis and reporting of product line and category performance.Product CostingSupplier negotiations to include but not limited to marketing funding, rebates, product cost prices, payment terms, scorecards, and performance metrics.Supplier Selection and AgreementsIdentify the best suppliers for Cromwell’s product portfolio.Negotiate, document and maintain contractual agreements between Cromwell and its suppliers.Line management of direct reports.Key RelationshipsProduct & Buying DirectorProduct Business Unit DirectorsExternal SuppliersPurchasing & Inventory TeamsGlobal Sourcing TeamMerchandising & Marketing Teams (e.g., Direct Marketing; Digital Content)Master Data Management TeamSales TeamOperations / Branch Network TeamsFinance Teams (e.g., Accounts Payable; Performance Reporting)Legal & Compliance TeamsWhat are we looking for?Experience within a distribution environment and/or knowledge of a broad line distributor.Commercial astute working within a high paced reselling environment.Experience in delivering multi-brand strategies to the product portfolio.Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role negotiating supplier commercial agreements.Demonstrable track record of successful commercial negotiations that have increased bottom-line profit.Knowledge and experience of monitoring and managing annual Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS) within specified guidelines.Thinks digital first.Previous Cutting Tools experience is desirable.Essential Qualifications & SkillsCategory Management expertiseBachelor’s degree or equivalent (desirable).Outstanding verbal and written communication.Strong decision making and influencing skills across different levels of colleagues and suppliers.Demonstrable commercial knowledge, specifically around supplier commercial agreements.Strong IT skills including a good understanding and usage of Microsoft Office packages.What’s in it for you?Competitive SalaryCompany BonusCompetitive annual leave allowance with annual purchase schemeGroup Personal PensionCompany Funded Healthcare Cash PlanCommitment to employee development plans24/7 Wellbeing and Employee SupportCycle to work schemeOther benefits include Company Sick Pay, Company Maternity & Paternity Pay, Discount Benefits Platform and Discounted Cromwell Products.Seniority levelMid-Senior levelEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionMarketing and SalesIndustriesRetail Office Equipment #J-18808-Ljbffr