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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category performance and manage supplier relationships for innovative paints and coatings.
- Company: Join AkzoNobel, a pioneering leader in sustainable paints with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of coatings while making a real impact on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace promoting diversity and mental wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we\’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people\’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We\’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It\’s what you\’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that\’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let\’s paint the future together.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com
© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Category Manager – 12 month fixed term contract
Altrincham
ÂŁcompetitive salary plus benefits
We encourage you to apply if you have relevant experience and expertise for this role, even if you don\’t meet all the criteria listed in the job description.
At AkzoNobel, we\’ve been pioneering a world of possibilities to bring surfaces to life for well over 200 years. As experts in making coatings, there\’s a good chance you\’re never more than a few meters away from one of our products. Our world-class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We\’re active in more than 150 countries and committed to becoming the global industry leader in sustainable paints and coatings.
Job Purpose
PLEASE NOTE – This is a 12 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. As a Category Manager, you will play a key role in driving category performance for our application and preparation product areas. You\’ll manage supplier relationships, develop compelling category strategies, and deliver engaging activities that strengthen our market position and support the company\’s \”Painting a Brighter Future\” strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the application and preparation categories, ensuring commercial performance and customer relevance
- Lead third-party supplier relationships, negotiating trading terms, promotional support, and cost price changes to maximise return
- Develop and optimise product ranges, ensuring the right products at the right price to meet customer needs
- Define and deliver promotional strategies and key campaigns to drive incremental sales growth
- Collaborate with the wider commercial team to plan and execute cross-category promotional events both in-store and online
- Lead and support range reviews, New Line Days, and key category development projects
- Analyse category performance data to identify opportunities and make informed, strategic decisions
- Manage workload effectively, ensuring category plans are delivered on time and within budget
Job Requirements
- Experienced category professional with a track record of delivering results in a retail or FMCG environment
- Skilled and confident negotiator with supplier management experience
- Strong strategic and analytical capability – able to interpret data and translate insights into action
- Excellent communication and influencing skills across multiple levels
- Effective project management and prioritisation skills
- Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint
- Customer-focused and commercially driven
What Sets You Apart
- Proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented
- Passionate about delivering value for both the customer and the business
- Able to think strategically while executing with precision
- Committed to continuous improvement and innovation within your category
What We Offer at AkzoNobel
- Competitive salary (depending on experience)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Income protection and life assurance
- Staff discount at Dulux Decorator Centres
- Company pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Product discounts
- Flexible benefits including Gymflex, dental cover, retail cards, and more
We support a healthy work-life balance and promote mental wellbeing. Flexible working options may be considered for this role.
Join a company that\’s been inventing the future for over two centuries-apply now and help shape what\’s next.
At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.
Requisition ID: 48492
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Category Manager employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching AkzoNobel and its products. Familiarise yourself with their brands like Dulux and Sikkens. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about the company and its mission to paint a brighter future.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to be confident in discussions with suppliers. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills. We want to see you shine in those crucial conversations!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and serious about joining our team at AkzoNobel. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Category Manager role. Highlight your achievements in category management, supplier negotiations, and any relevant data analysis to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great candidate. Don’t forget to mention your enthusiasm for sustainable solutions!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves analysing category performance data, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn insights into action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Categories
Before the interview, dive deep into AkzoNobel's application and preparation product areas. Familiarise yourself with their current offerings and think about how you can contribute to enhancing these categories. This shows your genuine interest and helps you speak confidently about how you can drive category performance.
✨Master Negotiation Scenarios
As a Category Manager, you'll need to negotiate with suppliers. Prepare for this by thinking of past negotiation experiences you've had. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you successfully managed supplier relationships or negotiated terms that benefited your previous employer.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Brush up on your analytical skills! Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. Think of specific instances where your analysis led to successful outcomes, especially in a retail or FMCG context, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
AkzoNobel values collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively within teams. Highlight any cross-category projects you've been involved in and how your contributions helped achieve common goals. This will demonstrate your ability to work well with others and align with their company culture.
