Category Manager

Description:

Howdens Joinery is looking for a talented Category Manager to join our innovative and fast-paced kitchen & Bedrooms Category commercial team. As Category Manager, you will have responsibility for shaping and growing a specific Category and further developing commercial opportunities. This is a permanent role based at our site in Raunds, Northamptonshire. 

As a successful business with an ambitious growth agenda, this role offers a highly commercial and engaging professional an excellent opportunity to manage a strategic network of key suppliers and determine the categories' long-term trading and ‘go-to-market’ strategies.

Reporting to the Senior Category Manager, you will manage a significant product portfolio and shape the path to growth for your category.  An excellent influencer, negotiator, and strategic thinker, you will also be able to challenge our processes appropriately and use your knowledge and expertise to advise and question our approach, ensuring that you add value in an engaging and confident manner.   

What we can offer you:

- Competitive salary and annual company bonus
- Competitive Pension Plan with a maximum company contribution of 12%
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days
- Free onsite car parking 
- Staff Discount
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events.

What you will be doing as a Category Manager:

- Developing and managing a sub-category strategy and plan that delivers profitable market share growth for the business.
- Accountable for shaping the product range, monitoring competition and pricing, and delivering a comprehensive promotional trading plan.
- Develop your understanding of supply for your product category as well as the external conditions and influences that may impact future availability and cost.
- Direct impact on our P&L and be responsible for managing the profitability of your category
- Answering Depot calls and queries whilst creating and communicating product information to Depots that is appropriate and fit for purpose.
- Understanding the needs of the builder, end-user, and depot, becoming a category expert.
- Managing product ranges in line with the business commercial planning cycle.
- Ensuring strong commercial relationships between Howdens, the category supply base, and internal stakeholders.
- Preparing information for key internal and external meetings.

What do you need to qualify for the Category Manager position:

- Experience in end-to-end category management is desirable.
- Buying experience is not essential for this role but is desirable
- Experience in Product management and range development is desirable
- Effective communication and presentation skills.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with great attention to detail.
- Able to influence and negotiate effectively.
- Displays tenacity and resilience to deliver.
- Preferably Degree qualified.

About us: 

Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware.  We have over 800 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. With an ambitious and credible growth plan, we continue to build on our £2.3 billion sales made last year.

There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment.  That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named as one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

How to apply:

We are building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career as a Category Manager, then we are keen to hear from you.

You will need to activate your account when you apply for this role. Please check your email carefully to ensure that you have completed this step. We are unable to view your application if you have not activated your account.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email (url removed) with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you