Senior Category Manager in Bedford

Our client is an ambitious and innovative leader within the packaging supply industry and part of a successful European group. They are committed to delivering exceptional customer service through innovation, sustainability and commercial excellence. Their core values of Doing the Right Thing, Being Accountable and Succeeding Together underpin everything they do, creating a collaborative culture with genuine opportunities for career progression and personal development.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Category Manager to join the Product & Purchasing Team and take ownership of a portfolio of strategically important Cartons, Boxes and Postal Packaging product categories. This is a highly commercial role, responsible for delivering sales and margin performance through effective category management, strategic supplier relationships, product innovation and lifecycle management. You will become the recognised product expert for your categories, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Purchasing and key suppliers to develop market-leading product ranges that deliver sustainable business growth and competitive advantage.

• Take full ownership of strategically important product categories, delivering revenue and margin performance in line with business objectives.
• Develop and implement category strategies to maximise sales, profitability and long-term growth.
• Manage the complete product lifecycle, including range optimisation, new product introduction and product rationalisation.
• Identify market trends, customer requirements and innovation opportunities to ensure the product portfolio remains competitive.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements that deliver value while supporting sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure products are sourced from the right suppliers at the right quality, cost and service levels, leveraging group purchasing relationships where appropriate.
• Work closely with Sales teams, supporting quotations, tenders and customer opportunities while providing technical product expertise.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop compelling product propositions, catalogue content, website information and promotional campaigns.
• Develop and present category plans and product roadmaps aligned with wider business objectives.
• Maintain accurate product information, specifications and sustainability documentation within ERP and product information systems.
• Monitor competitor activity, market developments and emerging sustainable packaging solutions to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Act as the internal product expert, developing product knowledge across the business and supporting customer visits where specialist expertise is required.

We are looking for a commercially driven Category Management professional with a proven track record of delivering successful product strategies and commercial growth. You will ideally have:

• Significant experience in Category Management, Product Management or a similar commercial role.
• A proven ability to develop category strategies and manage commercially important product portfolios.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience of delivering sales growth, margin improvement and supplier negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across Sales, Marketing and Purchasing functions.
• Experience supporting quotations, tenders and customer-facing commercial activities.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and advanced Excel capability.
• Experience managing product data and ERP or Product Information Management systems.
• Previous packaging industry experience would be highly advantageous, particularly within cartons, corrugated packaging, postal packaging or related product categories.

Salary of £50,000 - £55,000, company bonus, enhanced pension contribution, free on-site parking, on-site gym, and a collaborative, values-driven culture focused on innovation, sustainability and customer success.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Category Manager looking to take ownership of strategically important packaging categories within a growing business, where they can make a genuine commercial impact while continuing to develop their career. If you feel you have the right skill set and attributes for this role and that it's the challenge you are looking for then please apply via the website.