At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier relationships and optimise product categories for commercial success.
- Company: Dynamic flooring and construction supply business with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Supportive leadership team and long-term career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing company and shape its commercial future.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier management, negotiation, and category performance analysis.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our client is a successful and growing business operating within the flooring, interiors and construction supply sector. They are seeking a commercially driven Senior Commercial Category Manager to lead supplier relationships, optimise product categories and drive commercial performance across the business. This is a highly visible role, working closely with Operations, Estimating, Finance and Sales to improve margins, strengthen supplier partnerships and support future growth.
You will be responsible for managing supplier relationships, commercial agreements and category performance, ensuring the business maximises value from its supplier base while maintaining a competitive product offering. This role combines strategic thinking with a hands‐on approach and offers genuine influence across the business.
- Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong supplier and manufacturer relationships.
- Conduct supplier reviews and monitor performance against KPIs.
- Manage supply, service and product‐related issues.
- Drive supplier accountability, service improvements and responsiveness.
- Commercial Negotiation
- Negotiate pricing, rebates, payment terms and commercial agreements.
- Manage supplier discussions around price increases and market changes.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins and supplier value.
- Work with Finance to support commercial returns and cash flow.
- Category & Product Management
- Manage product categories across multiple sales channels.
- Optimise product ranges to support customer demand and profitability.
- Identify opportunities for innovation, upgrades and range improvements.
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure products are practical and efficient to deliver.
- Margin & Performance
- Analyse supplier and category profitability.
- Support pricing strategies and margin protection initiatives.
- Monitor inflationary pressures and cost recovery opportunities.
- Provide commercial insight and performance reporting.
- Stakeholder & Supplier Partnerships
- Collaborate with Commercial, Operations, Finance, Customer Service and Sales teams.
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships to support future growth.
- Secure supplier support including marketing contributions, training, promotional activity and showroom support.
About You
- Commercially astute and confident.
- Experienced in supplier management and negotiation.
- Skilled in category management and profitability analysis.
- Relationship‐focused with strong stakeholder management skills.
- Organised, proactive and hands‐on.
- Comfortable influencing at all levels of a business.
- Able to balance operational realities with commercial objectives.
Ideal Background Experience
- Flooring
- Interiors
- Builders Merchants
- Construction Supply
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Housebuilder Supply Chains
- Home Improvement Products
- Retail Category Management
Experience in category management, procurement, supplier negotiations, pricing, margin improvement and commercial performance analysis is highly desirable.
Salary & Benefits
- £40,000 per annum
- 20% annual bonus
- Private healthcare
- 23 days holiday, rising to 25 days after 5 years' service
- 5 paid sick days per year
- 4% matched pension contribution
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- 40‐hour working week
- Long‐term career development opportunities
- Opportunity to shape a growing commercial function
- Supportive leadership team with ambitious growth plans
We would love to hear from you if you are looking for a role where you can make a genuine commercial impact and help shape the future of a growing private equity‐backed business. Please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Category Manager employer: Axon Moore
Join a dynamic and growing business in the flooring, interiors, and construction supply sector, where your role as a Senior Commercial Category Manager will allow you to make a significant impact on supplier relationships and commercial performance. With a supportive leadership team, long-term career development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package including private healthcare and a generous annual bonus, this company fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic thinking. Located in a thriving industry, you'll have the chance to shape the future of a private equity-backed business while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Category Manager at Axon Moore!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Axon Moore or be willing to refer you for that Category Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Axon Moore who’s on the lookout for their next Category Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Category Manager role at Axon Moore!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Axon Moore. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axon Moore
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Axon Moore. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
