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- Tasks: Shape and expand product portfolios while leading innovative projects.
- Company: Market-leading UK distributor known for its dynamic culture and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, career development, and exposure to industry professionals.
- Other info: Collaborative atmosphere encouraging creativity and strategic thinking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
My client is a market-leading UK distributor of business supplies and services, operating across multiple channels with a strong logistics network and a portfolio of well-established brands. With a commitment to innovation and operational excellence, they deliver essential goods to workplaces nationwide and are known for their dynamic, forward-thinking culture.
As Category Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the own-label product portfolio. This is a strategic and hands-on position where you’ll lead category development, manage the full product lifecycle, and collaborate across departments to bring innovative, commercially successful products to market.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing strategic category plans to drive growth.
- Leading product development from concept to launch across multiple own-label brands.
- Conducting market and competitor analysis to identify new opportunities.
- Collaborating with marketing to build compelling brand propositions.
- Managing supplier relationships and negotiating costs, timelines, and quality.
- Ensuring compliance with safety, legal, and brand standards.
- Approving samples, packaging, and production sign-offs.
- Working cross-functionally with Procurement, Product Management, and Marketing teams.
What you’ll need to succeed:
- Proven experience in category management, product development, or buying—ideally within own/private label.
- Strong commercial acumen and a creative eye for product innovation.
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Knowledge of sourcing, manufacturing, and compliance standards.
- Exceptional organisational and project management abilities.
- Willingness to travel nationally and internationally (approx. 5%).
- Expertise in category and product range development.
- Strong presentation and stakeholder influencing skills.
- Understanding of supply chain dynamics and responsible procurement.
What you’ll get in return:
- The opportunity to shape a high-growth product category within a leading organisation.
- A collaborative, fast-paced environment where innovation is encouraged.
- Career development opportunities and exposure to a wide network of industry professionals.
- Flexible working options available.
Category Manager in Durham employer: hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
Contact Detail:
hays-gcj-v4-pd-online Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Durham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Category Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We recommend practising your responses to common questions, especially around category management and product development. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their dynamic culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate and find the right fit for your skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Durham
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 product development, and don’t forget to showcase your creative eye for product innovation!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed product lifecycles or developed strategic category plans.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since supplier management and negotiation are key parts of the job, make sure to include any relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills in these areas. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated these challenges in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of category management and product development. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in own-label products and be ready to discuss how you can leverage your knowledge to drive growth for the company.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled. Highlight your approach to managing supplier relationships and how you’ve negotiated costs and timelines. This will demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and ability to deliver results.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
Since this role involves working cross-functionally, think of instances where you’ve collaborated with different teams. Be prepared to share how you’ve worked with marketing, procurement, or product management to bring innovative products to market.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Organisational abilities are key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring compliance with safety and legal standards while keeping everything on track. Use specific examples to illustrate your project management skills.