At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial excellence in Civils & Drainage, securing competitive supplier agreements and maximising value.
- Company: Join Huws Gray, a leader in builders' merchant distribution with a strong focus on growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of our Civils & Drainage category across the UK.
- Qualifications: Strong roofing product knowledge and experience in commercial strategy required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
In this role you will take ownership of driving commercial excellence in our Civils & Drainage category - delivering competitive cost prices, securing market-leading supplier agreements, and maximising value across our supply base. A key focus will be to drive down cost of goods, improve rebate structures, and negotiate favourable commercial terms that strengthen margin performance and support sustainable long‑term growth. You will lead the development and growth of our Civils & Drainage category across the UK, ensuring our branches have a competitive product range, strong supplier support, and the capability to serve customers brilliantly.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a national Civils & Drainage category strategy that delivers profitable sales growth and strengthens our market position.
- Drive cost efficiencies, improve commercial agreements, and secure competitive terms, rebates, and strategic buying advantages.
- Partner with Regional Performance Directors and Branch Teams to support category adoption, drive commercial success, and enhance customer experience.
- Train, coach, and develop colleagues across the UK to build roofing product knowledge, commercial capability, and supplier relationship skills.
- Build and manage strong partnerships with key roofing product manufacturers and suppliers, negotiating competitive terms and ensuring long‑term strategic alignment.
- Work with Marketing to plan and deliver national promotional campaigns, increasing category awareness and driving demand.
- Identify new product opportunities, strengthen existing ranges, and evaluate category gaps to support market‑leading competitiveness.
- Manage and mitigate supply challenges through strong supplier relationships, forward planning, and strategic sourcing.
- Work closely with regional category colleagues (where applicable) to secure national supply agreements and leverage group buying power.
- Understand market dynamics, pricing trends, and competitor positioning to influence decision‑making and category direction.
- Support and engage internal teams including Pricing, Stock, and Finance to ensure pricing accuracy, stock availability, and commercial performance.
- Act as the national roofing category expert, providing insight, guidance, and support to branches and commercial leadership.
- Review category dashboards, reporting tools, and performance tracking, ensuring insights are translated into clear commercial actions.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong roofing product knowledge and experience in builders’ merchant or distribution environments.
- Proven commercial insight with the ability to drive growth through category strategy.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, comfortable influencing senior leaders and motivating branch teams.
- Strategic mindset with hands‑on approach - able to balance planning with field execution.
- Confident negotiator with strong supplier management capability.
- IT‑proficient - strong Excel skills (data analysis, reporting, modelling) and solid PowerPoint capability to build compelling business cases, category decks, and supplier proposals.
- Ability to interpret and present data clearly to drive commercial decisions.
- Proactive, organised and self‑driven with strong commercial numeracy and attention to detail.
- Adaptable, collaborative and comfortable operating at pace in a growing business.
Behaviours & Expectations
- Conduct yourself professionally at all times and represent Huws Gray in a positive and respectful manner.
- Demonstrate integrity, commercial discipline, and a strong customer‑focused approach.
- Build trust and credibility with colleagues, suppliers, and customers through consistent behaviour and strong communication.
- Operate with resilience, a growth mindset, and a commitment to collaborative success.
Location & Travel
This is a national role which will involve travel and occasional nights away. You will spend time in branches, with suppliers, and at our offices in Anglesey or Cambridge, as required.
Category Manager - Civils & Draingage employer: Huws Gray Group.
Huws Gray is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and fosters a collaborative work culture. With a focus on driving commercial excellence in the Civils & Drainage category, employees benefit from comprehensive training, strong supplier partnerships, and opportunities for strategic growth across the UK. The company's commitment to integrity and customer focus, combined with its supportive environment, makes it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Civils & Draingage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Prepare to discuss your experience with cost efficiencies and supplier negotiations. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've driven growth in previous roles – this will make you stand out as a strong candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company inside out! Understand their market position, product range, and recent developments. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨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 the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Civils & Draingage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager - Civils & Drainage. Highlight your experience in driving commercial excellence and managing supplier relationships, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your strategic mindset and hands-on approach. Tell us how you've successfully driven growth in previous roles and how you can bring that to our team.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since negotiation is a big part of this role, make sure to include examples of how you've secured competitive terms and improved rebate structures in your application. We want to see your confidence in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huws Gray Group.
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Civils & Drainage category. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, key suppliers, and competitive pricing strategies. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured favourable terms or improved supplier agreements. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability as a confident negotiator, which is crucial for this position.
✨Highlight Your Strategic Mindset
Think about how you can contribute to developing and implementing a national strategy for the category. Share your ideas on driving cost efficiencies and enhancing customer experience. This shows that you’re not just thinking about the day-to-day but also the bigger picture.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve motivated teams or influenced senior leaders. This will illustrate your ability to build strong partnerships, which is key for this role.
