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- Tasks: Manage product portfolios and drive sales growth through strategic supplier partnerships.
- Company: Cromwell, a leading supplier in tools and safety equipment with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Company bonus, healthcare plan, generous leave, and employee development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career progression and support for all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in keeping industry working.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
No matter where you are in your career – or where you want to be – we’re here to create a great place to work where you can grow, perform and love what you do. At Cromwell, we’re all individuals, with unique backgrounds and personalities. But we have one thing in common: delivering exceptional service for our customers. And we do this through our purpose of Keeping Industry Working.
This role is responsible for developing and managing a product portfolio to drive sales and profitable growth - using market intelligence and industry knowledge to ensure we have the best products to service our customers. Working in partnership with our centrally managed suppliers and in collaboration with cross functional colleagues to maximise supplier commercial opportunities, ensuring the most competitive procurement costs and increasing supplier income.
What’s in it for you?
- Company Bonus
- Competitive annual leave allowance with annual purchase scheme
- Company Funded Healthcare Cash Plan
- Commitment to employee development plans
- 24/7 Wellbeing and Employee Support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Other benefits include Company Sick Pay, Company Maternity & Paternity Pay, Discount Benefits Platform and Discounted Cromwell Products.
What will you do on a normal day?
- Define & Execute Category Strategy including Exclusive Brand development
- Complete high quality range reviews addressing relevance portfolio opportunities using the situational analysis 5 lens approach.
- Drive Exclusive Brand
- Develop plans to improve sales and margin whilst creating a compelling exclusive range that creates “stickiness for our customers”
- Marketing Initiatives
- Work with suppliers to develop and execute marketing programs geared towards profitable revenue growth, thinking digital first
- Drive product performance using digital & offline channels
- Product Life Cycle Management
- Manage product introduction, growth, maturity, and exit including driving through excess/obsolete inventory.
- Analysis and reporting of product line and category performance
- Product Costing
- Supplier negotiations to include but not limited to marketing funding, rebates, product cost prices, payment terms, scorecards, and performance metrics.
- Supplier Selection and Agreements
- Identify the best suppliers for Cromwell’s product portfolio. Negotiate, document and maintaining contractual agreements between Cromwell and its Suppliers
- Line Management of direct reports
Key Relationships
- Product & Buying Director
- Product Business Unit Directors
- External Suppliers
- Purchasing & Inventory Teams
- Global Sourcing Team
- Master Data Management Team
- Operations / Branch Network Teams
- Finance Teams (e.g., Accounts Payable; Performance Reporting)
- Legal & Compliance Teams
What are we looking for?
- Experience within a distribution environment and/or knowledge of a broad line distributor.
- Commercial astute working within a high paced reselling environment.
- Experience in delivering multi brand strategies to the product portfolio.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role negotiating supplier commercial agreements.
- Demonstrable track record of successful commercial negotiations that have increased bottom-line profit.
- Knowledge and experience of monitoring and managing annual Cost of Goods Sold (CoGs) within specified guidelines.
- Thinks digital first
Essential Qualifications & Skills
- Category Management expertise
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (desirable).
- Strong decision making and influencing skills across different levels of colleagues and suppliers.
- Demonstrable commercial knowledge, specifically around supplier commercial agreements.
- Strong IT skills including a good understanding and usage of Microsoft Office packages.
About Cromwell
Cromwell has been around for over 50 years, supplying an unrivalled choice of cutting tools, power tools, hand tools and safety equipment into all industries, professions and trades. We offer next day delivery or collection from our nationwide branch network, supported by an overnight UK logistics operation. Our team of over 1500 people are proud to be keeping industry working. Cromwell is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are also committed to offering applicants from the armed forces community (current and past) an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Category Manager (7248) in Leicester employer: Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd
Contact Detail:
Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (7248) in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around supplier negotiations and category management. Confidence is key!
✨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 take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager (7248) in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and supplier negotiations, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your unique background fits with our mission at Cromwell!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven sales and improved margins in previous roles. Use numbers and results to back up your claims. This will help us see the impact you can bring to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the category management landscape. Familiarise yourself with Cromwell's product portfolio and understand their market position. This will help you speak confidently about how you can drive sales and manage supplier relationships effectively.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how these experiences have positively impacted the bottom line. Cromwell values commercial acumen, so demonstrating your ability to negotiate supplier agreements will set you apart.
✨Emphasise Digital First Thinking
Cromwell is looking for someone who thinks digital first. Be ready to discuss how you've leveraged digital channels in previous roles to enhance product performance. Share any innovative marketing initiatives you've executed that drove profitable growth.
✨Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Think about how you can foster collaboration with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully worked with suppliers and internal teams in the past. Show that you understand the importance of building strong relationships to maximise commercial opportunities.