Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support product range development and collaborate with various teams to enhance offerings.
- Company: Join IronmongeryDirect, the UK's leading supplier of architectural ironmongery.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private healthcare, and a performance bonus.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and make a real impact in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a positive attitude are essential.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Us
At IronmongeryDirect, we have been a trusted name in architectural ironmongery for over 50 years. What started as a traditional ironmongery shop has since grown into the UK's leading direct supplier, delivering thousands of parcels each week. With a vast range of over 18,000 high-quality products available for next-day delivery, we are the reliable choice for tradespeople who value efficiency, expert advice, and top-tier service. If you are looking to be part of a dynamic, growing company that is built on a foundation of trust and excellence, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Category Assistant to join our dynamic Category team. In this role, you will support the development and execution of product ranges that resonate with our target customers. You will collaborate with multiple internal teams - Merchandising, E-commerce, Marketing, Customer Services, Photography, and IT - to help deliver compelling, competitive, and well-communicated product offerings. This is a varied role with great exposure across the business, ideal for someone with strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a genuine interest in product and market dynamics.
About the Accountabilities
- Support Category Managers with mailers and web proofing to ensure accuracy and reduce customer queries.
- Conduct market, customer, and competitor research to inform decision-making and maintain a competitive edge.
- Coordinate new product communication, ensuring teams are informed and confident about upcoming launches.
- Organise supplier product days and assist in identifying and filling key product gaps.
- Respond to customer feedback and queries from Customer Services and Bazaarvoice, meeting SLA requirements.
- Assist in the upload of new products, including sourcing and collating product data and content.
- Manage image assets including samples, photos, and in-situ images.
- Support the Category team with price analysis and trend reporting.
- Collaborate with the Merchandising team to compile relevant product content.
- Coordinate data uploads with the IT team.
- Generate reports as required to support category decisions.
About You
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Friendly and collaborative, able to work well with others.
- Organised and reliable, with the ability to manage tasks and meet deadlines.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Strong attention to detail when working with product or data information.
- Willing to learn, with a positive and proactive attitude.
Desirable
- Experience working with product data, administration, or office systems.
- An interest in retail, products, or category management.
- Basic understanding of data analysis or reporting.
- Experience in a retail, administrative, or product-focused role (helpful but not essential).
- Familiarity with product information systems, ERP tools, or similar software.
About the Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus public Bank Holidays, including the option to buy and sell up to three days per holiday year.
- Subsidised Private Healthcare for employees and their families.
- Enhanced family leave benefits.
- Fully funded Wellbeing offering operated by Health Shield with the ability to claim back medical costs, access to an EAP service including counselling sessions, a GP Anytime service and more.
- Discretionary annual company performance bonus.
- Regular WOW awards for those that go above and beyond.
- Staff suggestion scheme with associated rewards.
- Staff discount on our products.
- Long service awards, including the option to buy and sell up to three days per holiday year including additional annual leave, life insurance and increased employer pension contributions.
- Two paid volunteer days per year.
- £500 refer a friend incentive scheme.
We believe in recognising great work, investing in personal growth, and supporting wellbeing.
Category Assistant employer: Ironmongery Direct
Contact Detail:
Ironmongery Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them maintain that competitive edge. Show them you’re genuinely interested in what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role requires strong verbal and written abilities, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. Get comfortable talking about your experiences and how they relate to the Category Assistant role.
✨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 serious about joining our dynamic team at IronmongeryDirect.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. A friendly tone can make a big difference and help us get a feel for how you'd fit into our team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the Category Assistant role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured content that’s easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to break down your skills and experiences, making it easier for us to see your strengths at a glance.
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ironmongery Direct
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with IronmongeryDirect's product range. Understanding their offerings will not only show your genuine interest in the role but also help you answer questions about how you can contribute to the Category team.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Category Assistant, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively collaborated with teams in the past. Whether it's through email, meetings, or presentations, demonstrating your ability to communicate clearly will impress the interviewers.
✨Be Proactive and Detail-Oriented
Highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail during the interview. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed tasks or projects, ensuring accuracy and meeting deadlines. This will align perfectly with what they’re looking for in a proactive Category Assistant.
✨Research the Market
Conduct some research on current trends in the architectural ironmongery market. Being able to discuss competitors and market dynamics will show that you're not just interested in the role but are also ready to contribute valuable insights to the team.