Category Manager

Bailey Finch Associates have pleasure in assisting their FTSE 100 Client with the role of Category Manager.

Summary of Role:-

Manage the day-to-day activity within the purchasing department across a section of agreed categories and associated suppliers.  Deliver year on year commercial measurable benefit to the business whilst ensuring a professional and ethical approach.  Mutually agree the strategic direction for your section with your line manager in line with the purchasing strategy for the business

Requirements

•    Maximise the overall rebate/uplift gained for your agreed section through supplier negotiation, supplier movement/rationalisation, price increase strategy and increasing the value and benefit of imported product. Move branded product to Exclusive Brand where commercially viable.
•    Initiate a formal , quarterly and documented review process with all agreed major suppliers to include terms, delivery performance (OTIF,FTIF & No of deliveries) ,New product opportunities, SKU management , Stock cleanse, PSP opportunities and Branch interaction(including training) . Responsible for all Price queries and Supplier support queries.
•    Utilise the Category Management icon and other tools to perform bi monthly Category reviews – covering Sales, Margin, SKU Management (including WSL, CSP and Excess Stock Management), New Product/Catalogue content – including new market and market expansion opportunities.  Responsible for all coded products (including new code/CSP requests) within the product category, irrespective of whether the product is supplied direct to Branch or via the Import Centre.
•    Emerging new products and product trends, customer base for key competitors, quarterly branch visits and regular supplier visits. Be aware of internal costing (buying and selling) vs. the key competition.
•    Work closely with Tenders and Enquiries team taking responsibility for contribution to overall commercial strategy, coding and alternative strategy and take ownership of negotiations with major suppliers when required – right product/right price.
•    Create and agree with line manager a yearly strategy for Category, which will include budget creation and monthly targets.
•    Update Line Manager with monthly performance, including Rebate/Uplift movement, Supplier Support issues and SKU management and Pricing issues. 
•    Manage Category manager(s) with accountability for direct report(s) kpi’s and performance, in line with department’s objectives and strategy.
•    Where suppliers are shared by Category Managers,  responsibility for the terms negotiation will sit with the nominated Category Manager
•    Ensure that catalogue process runs on track and all deadlines are achieved
•    As part of the Purchasing management team, will continue to drive the office forward in terms of delivering the agreed strategy. This may include additional duties such as rebate/uplift forecasting, overall window price management etc.

Skills and Competencies:-
•    Attention to detail
•    Excellent communication skills- verbal – written
•    Data collection, management and analysis
•    Problem analysis and problem solving
•    Planning and organising
•    Decision-making
•    Customer service orientated
•    Teamwork

If this role sounds of interest to you, please forward your cv initially to Bailey Finch Associates who are acting as a recruitment agency with this vacancy.