At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and drive profitable growth in utilities and infrastructure.
- Company: Join Keyline, part of Travis Perkins plc, a leader in the building industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, company car, pension scheme, and discounts.
- Other info: Collaborate with top suppliers and internal teams for strategic success.
- Why this job: Shape commercial strategies and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Keyline, part of Travis Perkins plc, are now hiring for an exceptional Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure Category Manager to join our commercial leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial future of our business.
This is far more than a traditional procurement or supplier management role. You'll act as the crucial commercial bridge between suppliers and our internal sales network driving strategic partnerships, supporting targeted sales campaigns, and ensuring seamless cross-business alignment to win major national and regional business.
If you're a commercially minded, customer-focused category leader who thrives on building impactful range strategies, negotiating strong trading terms and delivering profitable growth in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you!
The Opportunity
As Category Manager – Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure, reporting directly to the Commercial Director, you will take full ownership of Keyline’s commercial strategy across the Utility and Specialist Infrastructure markets.
You will hold end-to-end accountability for category sales, gross margin, supplier trading terms (rebates), product availability and stock health. Working in close collaboration with branch, sales and marketing teams.
What You'll Be Doing
- Strategy Ownership: Creating, owning, and delivering a customer focused category strategy that drives profitable growth in sales, gross margin and market share.
- Customer Proposition & Range: Developing a market leading product range that offers the optimum balance of quality and value, fully aligned with contractor and customer requirements.
- Margin & Terms Optimisation: Delivering COGs and margin improvements through robust supplier trading term negotiations, group synergy projects and direct sourcing initiatives.
- Budget Accountability: Owning the category budget for sales and profitability, continuously monitoring trading performance and executing agile action plans to meet business targets.
- Supplier Performance & Safety: Actively managing supplier relationships to guarantee they meet key performance metrics, service levels and strict safety expectations.
- Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborating with branch, sales, marketing, and pricing teams to execute promotional campaigns, pricing strategies and optimised range and space plans.
- Stock & Availability Management: Partnering with supply chain teams to achieve product availability targets while cost-effectively managing slow moving, dead, or exit stock.
About You
You’ll be an ambitious, highly resilient commercial leader who combines strong analytical capabilities with exceptional negotiation skills and a passion for building lasting stakeholder relationships.
Essential
- Proven experience in category management or a similar commercial role within the building, distribution, or infrastructure sectors.
- Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful category strategies informed by market analysis.
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability, with hands‑on experience in supplier management and range development.
- Powerful negotiation, persuasion, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Self‑motivated and adaptable problem‑solver, capable of working at pace and making independent commercial decisions to meet tight deadlines.
- Minimum A-level or college equivalent education.
We’d Particularly Like to See
- CIPS qualification (or equivalent).
- Deep product and market knowledge within the Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure sectors.
- Good understanding of building industry key customers, market drivers, regulatory legislation, and competitor networks.
- Experience leading project delivery across multi-functional teams.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive base salary of plus an annual bonus linked to business performance
- Company car allowance / Company Car
- Generous pension scheme with matched contributions (based on length of service)
- Save as you earn and share schemes that let you share in the Group's success.
- Colleague discount across Travis Perkins Group brands - 20% off at Toolstation
- Private medical cover
Why Join Us?
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Shape and elevate the commercial strategy for Keyline’s key utility and infrastructure accounts.
- Take complete ownership of a high value category budget.
- Partner directly with external supplier executives, internal sales directors and regional branch teams.
- Drive meaningful financial and operational improvements through strategic sourcing, pricing and range architecture.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you're an ambitious category leader looking for a role that combines strategic influence, market innovation and direct commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you!
Category Manager – Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure in Northampton employer: Keyline Civils Specialist
Keyline Civils Specialist Hartlepool is an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic work culture focused on growth, safety, and teamwork. With opportunities for professional development and a commitment to employee well-being, you will thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in a role where your leadership can drive success and innovation in a fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure in Northampton
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Keyline Civils Specialist.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Utilities and Specialist Infrastructure in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Keyline Civils Specialist:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Keyline Civils Specialist. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Keyline Civils Specialist.
How to prepare for a job interview at Keyline Civils Specialist
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Keyline Civils Specialist!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Keyline Civils Specialist. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Keyline Civils Specialist's culture.
