At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage category plans and supplier relationships to maximise business value.
- Company: Large national UK company with a focus on growth and development.
- Benefits: Excellent career progression, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Work from home three days a week for better work-life balance.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in category management.
- Qualifications: Solid category management experience and strong relationship management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
I am currently recruiting several Category Managers for a large national UK company. The role requires a clear understanding of Category Management principles with a track record of delivering results across a number of different category areas, supplier and stakeholder relationships, and to share best practice across the business. It doesn't matter what category you have experience in, as long as you have solid category management experience and SRM experience and are looking to learn and develop. Excellent career progression on offer here.
Key parts of the role:
- Developing and managing end to end category plans for the short, medium and long term and identifying a pipeline of initiatives to maximise value and outcomes for the business, balancing commercial risk and value opportunities.
- Providing specific category knowledge and supply market insight.
- Delivering category plans and category sourcing events, providing category support and identifying/managing category level risks.
- Managing a portfolio of suppliers to ensure contracted expectations (service, performance, cost, and risk) continue to be improved throughout the contract life cycle and to support these suppliers in delivering additional value.
- Creation and delivery of a category strategy which ensures that value is delivered, and risk appropriately managed for the organisation.
Based in Reading 2 days a week and 3 from home.
Category Manager in Reading employer: 1st Executive Ltd
This large national UK company offers an exceptional work environment for Category Managers, combining a strong focus on professional development with a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. With flexible working arrangements, including the option to work from home three days a week, employees benefit from a healthy work-life balance while enjoying excellent career progression opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact across various categories.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your category management principles. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how you've delivered results. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve managed supplier relationships!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! When discussing your approach to developing category plans, highlight how you balance commercial risks with value opportunities. This is key for a Category Manager role, so make sure it shines through in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Category Management Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience in category management clearly. We want to see how you've delivered results in previous roles, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples that demonstrate your expertise.
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. We love seeing candidates who understand our needs and can relate their experience directly to the job description. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your skills and experiences. This will help us see your potential quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive Ltd
✨Know Your Categories
Make sure you brush up on your category management principles. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully developed and managed category plans. This will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Relationships
Prepare to talk about your experience with supplier relationship management (SRM). Highlight how you've built and maintained strong relationships with suppliers, and be ready to share any best practices you've implemented that led to improved performance or cost savings.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you've balanced commercial risks and value opportunities in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss specific initiatives you've identified and how they maximised value for your organisation. This will demonstrate your strategic mindset.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the company's current category strategies or challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
