At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive product strategy in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a growing private equity-backed business in the interiors and construction supply sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and supportive leadership team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on commercial decisions and shape the future of the company.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier negotiation and category management is essential.
Preston, Lancashire - Circa £38k plus 20% annual bonus! North West | Competitive Salary + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Axon Moore is exclusively partnering with a well-established and growing private equity backed business within the interiors and construction supply sector to recruit a commercially astute Commercial Supply & Product Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity for somebody who enjoys building strong supplier relationships, influencing commercial performance and taking real ownership of product and category strategy within a fast-paced operational environment.
The business has built an excellent reputation within its market with ambitious plans for continued growth across multiple channels. As part of that journey, they are looking for an individual who can bring greater commercial focus to supplier management, product selection, margin optimisation and strategic partnerships.
This is not a role where you’ll sit behind spreadsheets all day. It’s a highly visible position where you’ll work closely with operational teams, suppliers, finance and senior leadership to help shape commercial decisions that genuinely impact the business. For the right person, there is significant scope to make the role your own and become a key part of the company’s future growth.
The Opportunity
As Commercial Supply & Product Manager, you’ll take ownership of supplier performance, commercial negotiations, product categories and margin improvement initiatives across the business. You’ll act as the link between suppliers and internal teams ensuring products are commercially viable, operationally effective and aligned to customer requirements. This role would suit somebody who is commercially sharp but also practical in their approach, someone who enjoys improving processes, challenging suppliers constructively and building long-term partnerships that create value on both sides.
Key Responsibilities
- Supplier & Commercial Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturing partners
- Lead supplier performance reviews and drive improvements in service, responsiveness and accountability
- Manage escalations relating to supply issues, product concerns or service delivery challenges
- Negotiate commercial agreements including: pricing structures, rebates, settlement discounts, payment terms, supplier support packages
- Challenge cost increases and identify opportunities to improve overall margin performance
- Monitor supplier KPIs including lead times, availability and service levels
- Product & Category Strategy
- Take ownership of product ranges across multiple sales channels
- Help shape category strategy and product selection aligned to customer demand and commercial performance
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure products are practical, efficient and reliable in real-world delivery
- Identify opportunities to simplify ranges, improve efficiencies and introduce new product innovation
- Support showroom and display planning where required
- Margin & Performance Improvement
- Analyse supplier and product profitability
- Support pricing strategy and margin protection initiatives
- Monitor inflationary pressures and recovery opportunities
- Improve visibility around supplier contribution and category performance across the business
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with operations, estimating, finance, customer care and installation teams
- Ensure alignment between commercial objectives and operational delivery
- Help improve communication, consistency and processes across departments
- Supplier Partnership Development
- Build stronger strategic supplier relationships to support long-term growth
- Secure additional supplier support including: marketing contributions, promotional activity, fitter training incentives, POS/display support, digital collateral
About You
We’re keen to speak with individuals who are naturally commercial, relationship-driven and confident operating within a busy service-led environment. Sector and product knowledge will be essential for this role and candidates should ideally come from one of the following backgrounds:
- Flooring
- Interiors
- Construction supply
- Builders merchants
- Distribution
- Housebuilder supply chain
- Retail or trade environments
You’ll also ideally have experience in:
- Supplier negotiation
- Category management
- Margin improvement
- Commercial analysis
- Operational supply chain challenges
Most importantly, you’ll be somebody who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities for improvement and making a visible impact within a growing business.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Performance-related bonus opportunity
- 23 days holiday increasing to 25 days after 5 years’ service
- 5 paid sick days per annum
- Private healthcare
- 4% matched pension contribution
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- Working hours between 8:00am and 5:00pm
- 40-hour working week
- Long-term career progression opportunities
- Opportunity to shape and influence a growing function
- Supportive leadership team with ambitious growth plans
If you’re looking for a role where you can combine commercial thinking with operational impact and want the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing private equity-backed business, I’d be keen to hear from you.
Please get in touch with your up to date CV.
Commercial Supply & Product Manager employer: Axon Moore
Join a dynamic and growing private equity-backed business in Preston, Lancashire, where your role as a Commercial Supply & Product Manager will allow you to make a tangible impact on the company's future. With a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration, you'll thrive in an environment that values strong supplier relationships and innovative product strategies. Enjoy excellent benefits, including private healthcare and increased holiday entitlement, while working alongside a leadership team committed to ambitious growth plans.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Supply & Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the interiors and construction supply sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or recruiters, be ready to talk about your experience in supplier management and commercial negotiations. Bring examples of how you've improved margins or built strong supplier relationships. Make it clear that you’re the one they need for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s current suppliers and product lines. Understand their market position and think about how you can contribute to their growth. This will not only impress them but also help you tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Commercial Supply & Product Manager role. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining the team. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Supply & Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Commercial Supply & Product Manager role. Highlight your supplier management and negotiation skills, as well as any relevant experience in the interiors or construction supply sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built strong supplier relationships and influenced commercial performance in previous positions.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:In your application, demonstrate your understanding of margin optimisation and product strategy. We want to see how you can bring a commercial focus to supplier management and product selection.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axon Moore
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Supply & Product Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of margin optimisation and supplier performance. Brush up on key metrics related to product profitability and be ready to discuss how you've improved margins in previous roles.
✨Build Supplier Relationships
Since this role involves developing strong relationships with suppliers, think of examples where you've successfully managed supplier partnerships. Be prepared to share how you’ve navigated challenges and driven improvements in service and accountability.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This position requires a blend of commercial acumen and practical execution. Prepare to discuss your approach to category strategy and product selection. Think about how you've aligned product offerings with customer demand and operational efficiency in the past.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
You'll be working closely with various teams, so highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share specific instances where you've improved communication and processes between departments to achieve common goals.
