Category Manager

Alliance Automotive Group UK is a leading distributor of light and commercial vehicle parts to the automotive aftermarket, serving over 30,000 repairers across the UK & Ireland. AAG UK comprises two distributors networks (GROUPAUTO UK and the United Aftermarket Network) that benefit from an efficient logistics and product offering from its wholly-owned subsidiaries FPS, Apec, Platinum and BTN Turbo. Consolidated revenues are around €650m, with over 3,000 employees working for the group across 800+ distributor outlets.

The combination of these businesses gives our associated members and garages market-leading commercial terms on exclusive private label brands as well as original equipment (OE) or OE-matched quality suppliers. Our affiliated and wholly-owned distributors have access to business services such as fleet deals, branding, utility services, and marketing support.

Purpose of the Job

Working within a dynamic commercial department, your role forms an essential link in the supply chain. You will take full ownership in managing the product team and their product portfolio. The role will involve building strong supplier relationships and ensuring projects are kept on time and in scope. The role will also involve managing inventory across the business to ensure optimal availability for the group.

Strong leadership will be integral to the success of your categories

Responsibilities

• Managing Team of Product Managers and their portfolios

• Managing Inventory management team

• Cradle to grave product lifecycle management

• Ensuring correct Range profiles across the FPS branch network and National Distribution Centre

• Business systems are kept functional and maintained

• Optimise stock performance

• Marketing and Campaign planning for your product portfolio leading to sales support

• Senior management of supplier relationships

• Catalogue data for products is market leading

• Regular reporting to the Commercial Director on all areas of your product portfolios

Operational management

• Regularly undertake product and supplier reviews and present Management proposals for appropriate steps to maximise performance of stock, sales and profit margin.

• Develop and enhance relationships with suppliers and ensure they understand and meet our requirements

• Price benchmarking against the market to validate our programs market competitiveness

• Management of product part number cross reference and alternatives database ensuring minimum of 95% coverage across the category

• To understand the needs of the customer and develop the product range through effective NPI to meet those needs

• Be in a position to advise sales how best to sell the products within your portfolio

• Proposals for catalogue and online trading developments

• Accurate maintenance of electronic trading systems – K8, AX, F:Drive and MAM

• Manage the suppliers in order to continually improve stock availability and maximise stock turn.  Regular review meetings with NDC supply chain on product flow, availability, packaging, warranty issues and stock cleanses

• Collect and analyse all data which measure product performance and take agreed action that ensure maximisation of sales and profit

Other result areas

• Be the first point of contact with suppliers

• Deliver all projects within the business plan

• Achieve Sales and Profit Budget

• Deliver Marketing and Campaigns plans

Internal Relations

• UK Purchasing

• Inventory & Planning

• Marketing Services Team

• Vehicle Data Team

• Pricing Department

• Regional field sales team

• National Distribution Centres

• AAG Subsidiaries

We are looking for someone with Strong work ethic, leadership skills and proactive approach with self- initiative; great level of commitment and dedication to meet and deadlines with high-quality results. A positive, can-do attitude is necessary.

You will be working as part of a team, alongside other category managers and Commercial Directors. We will provide the successful candidate all the training and support needed in order to fulfil their potential and develop their skills further.