At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier relationships and optimise product categories for commercial success.
- Company: Dynamic business in the flooring and construction supply sector.
- Benefits: £40,000 salary, 20% bonus, private healthcare, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Supportive leadership team and long-term career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a growing business with ambitious plans.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management, supplier negotiation, and commercial 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. The position would suit someone with experience in category management, commercial procurement, supplier management or product range ownership within construction supply, merchanting, distribution, flooring or interiors.
The Role
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
We're looking for someone who is:
- 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 in one or more of the following sectors would be advantageous:
- 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
If you're looking for a role where you can make a genuine commercial impact and help shape the future of a growing private equity-backed business, we'd love to hear from you.
To Apply
Please send your up-to-date CV to (url removed) or call (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion.
Category Manager in Preston employer: Axon Moore
Join a dynamic and growing business in the flooring, interiors, and construction supply sector as a Senior Commercial Category Manager, where you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on supplier relationships and commercial performance. With a supportive leadership team, competitive salary, and benefits including private healthcare and long-term career development opportunities, this role offers a collaborative work culture that values your contributions and fosters professional growth. Located in a thriving industry, this position allows you to shape the future of a private equity-backed company while enjoying a balanced work-life with a Monday to Friday schedule.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the flooring and construction sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Understand their product categories and think about how you can add value. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves commercial agreements, being able to demonstrate your negotiation prowess during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your experience in supplier management, category strategy, and commercial performance to show us you're the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven margin improvement or built strong supplier relationships in the past.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:In your application, demonstrate your understanding of commercial negotiations and category management. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated these areas in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axon Moore
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of margins and profitability. Brush up on key metrics related to supplier performance and category analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've improved margins in previous roles.
✨Build Rapport with Suppliers
Since supplier relationships are crucial, think about examples where you've successfully managed or improved these partnerships. Share specific instances where your negotiation skills led to better terms or enhanced collaboration.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your approach to category management and how you identify opportunities for innovation. Think about how you've optimised product ranges in the past and be ready to share your thought process during the interview.
✨Collaborate Across Teams
This role requires working closely with various departments. Be prepared to talk about how you've collaborated with finance, operations, or sales teams in the past. Highlight any successful projects that involved cross-functional teamwork.
