Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy for bricks and cement, driving sales and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join STARK, a leading building materials distributor in Northern Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, staff discounts, and wellness services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the building industry while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or procurement in construction products is essential.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
New HBM structure approved. Ready to take the next step in your category career with a business that genuinely understands and partners the building merchants industry? At STARK, one of Northern Europe's leading building materials distributors, we're strengthening our commercial team and looking for Category Managers who know what it takes to support branches, deliver the right product ranges, and build strong supplier partnerships. If you enjoy getting under the skin of your categories, understand the realities of merchanting, and want to make a real impact, this could be the ideal next move.
We offer a supportive environment where your expertise is valued, along with a competitive salary, staff discount, life assurance and 34 days' holiday (including bank holidays). You'll also have clear opportunities to grow your career within a progressive, branch-focused organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
- Working closely with the Commercial/Category Director and Senior Category Manager, you'll lead the business plan for the bricks and cement categories - shaping strategy, driving sales and margin, and ensuring branches have all the products needed to do the job.
- This role is central to how we serve our customers. You’ll be the “go-to” expert for bricks, influencing everything from supplier agreements to pricing, promotions, and product range development.
What you’ll bring:
- Strong experience in category management or procurement within merchanting, construction products, or a related industry.
- A proven track record of building ranges that meet customer project needs and deliver budgeted commercial results.
- Confidence negotiating supplier terms based on facts, insight, and strong commercial judgement.
- A deep understanding of customer needs, market trends and competitor activity.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable plans.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong communication skills, able to engage stakeholders at every level - including presenting to board and supplier leadership.
- Determination, ownership, and accountability - always focused on delivering improvements for branches, customers, and suppliers.
- Good IT literacy across Microsoft applications and database systems.
- Willingness to support, coach and develop junior team members.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the 2-3-year category strategy, ensuring ranges deliver customer project requirements and meet sales and profit targets.
- Act as the first point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders on your categories.
- Negotiate and deliver supplier trading agreements aligned to group goals.
- Deliver clear reporting and insight on category performance, identifying opportunities to improve pricing, promotions, sales, and ranging.
- Understand and support STARK’s sustainability agenda, including responsible sourcing and category impact on emissions, packaging, and product circularity.
- Partner with STARK UK functions and local branches - helping them make great commercial decisions.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, adapting your approach to maximize collaboration and results.
- Support broader commercial projects and continuous improvement activities across the business.
- Role model safe, sustainable working practices.
What’s in it for you:
- Discretionary bonus.
- A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
- Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support.
- Generous employee discounts.
- Access to discounts with hundreds of your favourite high street and online retailers.
- Retirement savings plan.
- Life assurance.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child.
Why STARK?
We're proud to be part of STARK Building Materials UK and dedicated to providing top-quality products and exceptional service to our customers. We're a friendly and collaborative team, passionate about what we do and committed to doing it well. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and join a team that is dedicated to providing great service, we want to hear from you. Apply today!
What’s next...
If your application is successful, our in-house recruitment team will be in touch to arrange an interview and to answer any initial questions you have. Where a role is advertised as full-time, we are open to discussing part-time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best. Stark Building Materials UK is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.
Category Manager - Bricks in Coventry 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 - Bricks in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the building materials industry. Attend trade shows, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research STARK and understand their values, products, and market position. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in category management and supplier partnerships. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your achievements and how they relate to the role of Category Manager. Think about specific examples where you’ve driven sales or improved product ranges. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining STARK and being part of our fantastic team. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Bricks in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and procurement, especially within the construction or merchanting sectors. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of customer needs and market trends.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive sales and build strong supplier partnerships. Numbers speak volumes, so include any relevant metrics that showcase your success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our recruitment team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the bricks and cement categories. Understand market trends, customer needs, and competitor activity. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiating supplier terms is a key part of the job, think about past experiences where you've successfully negotiated deals. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will showcase your commercial judgement and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've turned data into actionable plans in previous roles. Bring examples of reports or insights you've generated that led to improved sales or product ranges. This will highlight your analytical prowess and ability to drive results.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've communicated with various stakeholders in the past. Prepare examples of how you've presented to senior leadership or collaborated with teams. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills and ability to build relationships, which are crucial for the role.
