Category Manager

SF Recruitment are looking for a Category Manager for our Nottingham based client. This is a full-time permanent role working within the Procurement and Supply Chain team. The salary for this role is up to £40,000.
Suitable candidates will have Category Buying experience along with excellent relationship building skills. Reporting to the Head of Buying you will be responsible for developing, refining and presenting commercially viable product ranges that deliver strategic goals.
You will have autonomy to develop the long-term Product Category and aligning with stakeholders both internally & externally to contribute to the delivery of the plan. You will be required to analyse product performance, trends and market activities that will enable you to enhance the company's portfolio of products.
It is essential you have excellent communication skills and experience negotiating prices and terms with suppliers. You must have experience with MRP/ERP systems and be confident using Excel.
Responsibilities:
o Analysing data and insights to determine industry and consumer trends.
o Identifying emerging market opportunities and potential gaps.
o Devising long-term development strategies for product categories.
o Creating plans to enhance product offerings and meet customer demands.
o Ensuring timely introduction of new products.
o Developing exit strategies for poor performing products.
o Building and maintaining trust relationships with suppliers.
o Collaborating with suppliers to achieve better pricing and quality of services.
o Determining the positioning of a product category to maximise visibility.
o Managing pricing strategies to optimise consumer appeal.
o Coordinating with marketing function to enhance product content and SEO.
o Ensuring accurate and compelling product descriptions.
o Negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors.
o Ensuring favourable terms and conditions for the company.
Skills
- Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders and suppliers.
- Computer literate, especially with Excel.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Results-orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines.
- Commercially and financially astute with experience in managing budgets.