At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial excellence in Pitched Roofing, securing competitive supplier agreements and maximising value.
- Company: Join a leading builders' merchant with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for training and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of our Pitched Roofing category.
- Qualifications: Strong roofing product knowledge and proven commercial insight required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
In this role you will take ownership of driving commercial excellence in our Pitched Roofing 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 Pitched Roofing 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 Pitched Roofing 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.
Category Manager – Pitched Roofing employer: Huws Gray Group.
Contact Detail:
Huws Gray Group. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Pitched Roofing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to walk in with insights that show you’re not just another candidate, but someone who understands the market dynamics and can drive commercial success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to be confident in discussions. Role-play with friends or family to get comfortable with presenting your ideas and negotiating terms.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Pitched Roofing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your roofing product knowledge and any relevant experience in builders’ merchant or distribution environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: When writing your application, don’t just list your responsibilities. Instead, showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven growth or improved commercial agreements in previous roles. This will help us see your impact.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and concise. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your key points.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huws Gray Group.
✨Know Your Roofing Products
Make sure you brush up on your roofing product knowledge before the interview. Understand the latest trends, key suppliers, and competitive advantages in the Pitched Roofing category. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Prepare Your Negotiation Strategies
Since negotiation is a big part of this role, come prepared with examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Think about how you can drive down costs and improve supplier agreements, and be ready to discuss specific strategies that could benefit the company.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Insight
Be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement a national category strategy. Bring data or case studies that illustrate your ability to drive growth and enhance market position. This will help you stand out as someone who can think strategically while executing effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your communication skills by preparing to discuss how you would engage with various stakeholders, from branch teams to senior leaders. Share examples of how you've successfully influenced others and built strong partnerships in previous roles.