At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and grow our lighting product portfolio while collaborating with suppliers and teams.
- Company: Join Ansell, a global leader in innovative lighting solutions since 1992.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 28 days holiday, product discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with international travel and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the lighting industry and drive innovation in product development.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in product management, strong negotiation skills, and knowledge of lighting technologies.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
In the role of Product Category Manager, you will oversee and grow our lighting product portfolio.
This mid to senior-level role will be responsible for managing the full product lifecycle, building strong supplier relationships, and aligning product strategy with wholesale market demands.
You will play a pivotal role in ensuring Ansell remains competitive and innovative in all lighting categories.
Who are Ansell & What do we do
We design and manufacture internal and external lighting solutions for customers across the whole spectrum of the public and private sectors, with quality and sustainability at the heart of our operations.
Established in 1992, we have grown to become a global operator with bases in Warrington and Belfast and state‑of‑the‑art showrooms in Belfast, Warrington, Madrid and Dublin, supplying to more than 26 countries.
Ansell Lighting is a byword for innovation in lighting design and we have won multiple awards for our energy‑efficient luminaires and industry‑leading lighting control system, Octo.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
MAIN DUTIES
- Manage and develop a defined portfolio of lighting products, ensuring market fit, quality, and profitability.
- Drive new product development in collaboration with our manufacturing partners—defining specifications, reviewing samples, managing timelines, and ensuring quality control.
- Monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and competitor activity to identify new opportunities or risks in the product range.
- Lead product launches and range reviews, including commercial planning, technical documentation, pricing, and internal training.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with purchasing, supply chain, marketing, compliance, and sales teams to ensure smooth product introductions and lifecycle transitions.
- Work closely with the QA and technical teams to ensure all products meet UK and EU regulatory standards and Ansell’s quality expectations.
- Visit key suppliers (including international travel to Asia) to manage relationships, conduct audits, and assess production capabilities.
- Provide commercial insight and support to the sales team, equipping them with relevant product information, unique selling points, and market positioning.
- PROJECTS
- Day to day interface with internal team and suppliers.
- GAP analysis of product offering, and areas of development required.
- Departmental responsibility for the consolidation of data, certification and files for product handover.
- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
- Management of product segment(s) / projects alongside other product managers and designers’ team.
- Ensure all products designed and sourced adhere and comply to the latest applicable standards.
- Product benchmarking against competitor against existing or new products for all sectors.
- Arrange and ensure all products are internally/externally tested where required.
- RESEARCH
- Market research reviewing Ansell’s position within the lighting market and review areas to improve.
- Review and monitor product life cycles for Ansell and associated brands.
- Product / supplier strategy & roadmaps 2yrs+.
- Establish potential products / product ranges, review and integrate into product roadmaps.
- Prepare continuous benchmarking information. This can include components, competitors pricing followed up with a report of the findings.
- SUPLIER INTERFACE
- Dialog with suppliers / internal teams for regular updates.
- Consolidation of data, specification, certification, and files for product.
- Manage price negotiation to maintain a competitive level and push for product savings going forward.
- Product souring and re‑sourcing from any competitive region.
Our Lighting Product Category Manager will have/be
- Good level of general and higher education.
- 3+ years of experience in product/category management, ideally within lighting, electrical, or related building products.
- Demonstrable experience sourcing and managing products from Chinese suppliers, including understanding of manufacturing, negotiation, tooling and quality control.
- Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of pricing strategies and margin control
- Proficient in project management, with excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Fully versed with Luminaire componentry and upto date awareness of componentry availability.
- Knowledge of lighting technologies (especially LED), UK and EU regulations, and energy efficiency standards.
- Negotiation approach.
- Computer‑literate, being fully conversant with MS Excel, Word, and experience of DTX / Perito would be distinct advantage.
- Able to work independently, make data‑driven decisions, and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Keen to learn and have the application to increase overall knowledge.
- Able to operate confidently and communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in a written form
- Professional in approach, and able to lead by example, acting with tact and diplomacy.
- Committed to learning and self‑development.
- Desire to continue to learn and grow with an ever‑evolving industry.
- Comfortable with international travel to supplier locations in Asia.
- Any applicable courses within the lighting sector.
- Advanced general knowledge of luminaires, componentry and smart technologies.
- Experience in the UK wholesale electrical distribution channel (e. g., experience working with distributors, wholesalers, or contractors).
- Familiarity with lighting control systems, smart lighting, and evolving technologies in the lighting space.
- Experience in Lighting, Electronics and Luminaire design.
- Ability to locate research data to aid market research tasks.
- Understanding of compliance standards such as CE, UKCA, ENEC, Ro HS, and relevant testing procedures.
- Completer finisher
- Personable and approachable management style.
And now for the Good Stuff
- Competitive salary, benefits, (Salary DOE)
- 28 days holiday - includes Bank Holidays (increasing with length of service plus Christmas shut down)
- Discount on our products
- Recognition and rewards scheme
- Access to our learning platform including great training and development programmes.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Product Category Manager in Warrington employer: Ansell Lighting
At Ansell, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Product Category Manager, you will benefit from competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and access to comprehensive training programmes that support your professional growth. With our commitment to sustainability and quality, alongside a supportive team environment in our state-of-the-art facilities in Warrington and Belfast, you'll find meaningful opportunities to make a significant impact in the lighting industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Category Manager in Warrington
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Ansell Lighting!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Ansell Lighting would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Ansell Lighting through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Category Manager in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Category Manager, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Category Manager position at Ansell Lighting. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ansell Lighting
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
