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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product categories, engage with branches, and build supplier relationships.
- Company: MKM is the UK's leading independent builders' merchant, established in 1995.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, discounts, training, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, drive commercial success, and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in a similar role, strong negotiation skills, and analytical abilities required.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; be part of a growing family-oriented company.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Title: Category Manager – Heavyside – MKM Building Supplies
Location: Hull with hybrid working as an option
Reports to: Head of Category – HBM
Job Summary: Due to expansion, we are seeking a proactive and commercially driven Category Manager to join our dynamic category team at MKM.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in managing a number of product categories, focusing on deep engagement with our branch network, fostering strong supplier relationships, and driving commercial success. This role will be hybrid – with 3 days a week being based within our Central Support function in Hull.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker who can balance operational needs with long-term category development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Branch Engagement:
- Collaborate closely with our Branch Directors and their teams to understand local market needs and ensure through product and commercial agreements, our branches can be a market leader in their locality.
- Provide guidance and support to branches, to allow the most appropriate decisions to be made on a local level.
- Supplier Relationship Management:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with our key suppliers, negotiating commercial terms which enhance the MKM position as a market leading growth business.
- Work with suppliers to ensure product availability at all times, understand the market and legislation changes and support joint marketing initiatives.
- Monitor supplier performance, addressing any issues promptly to maintain and future proof the MKM supply chain.
- Commercial Focus:
- Review and understand sales and margin data, market trends, and customer insights to develop and implement progressive category strategies.
- Collaborate with internal teams within central support to drive category growth, ensuring a competitive edge in the market.
- Product Management:
- Oversee the product lifecycle from selection to discontinuation, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimising aged stock.
- Lead product and range reviews to keep the category offerings relevant on a local basis and profitable.
- Coordinate with the marketing team to develop impactful campaigns that highlight key products and drive customer numbers.
- Performance Analysis and Reporting:
- Regularly review category performance, providing detailed reports and actionable insights to senior management.
- Use data-driven analysis to forecast trends, identify risks, and realise commercial opportunities within the category.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Work cross-functionally with all teams within Central Support, including Marketing, Digital, Finance and Trading Support.
- Communicate category plans and actions effectively across the business, ensuring local branch needs are recognised and met.
Key Skills & Experience:
- Experience: Proven experience in a similar role within a builder’s merchant or related sector is essential.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of commercial principles, with a track record of driving category profitability.
- Supplier Negotiation: Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to foster long-term, beneficial relationships with suppliers.
- Branch Network Understanding: Experience working closely with branch networks, understanding their operational needs and challenges.
- Analytical Skills: Proficiency in understanding market and category data to inform future decision making and supporting our branches to make the appropriate decisions for their local market.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills,
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement effective category strategies that align with the wider MKM business objectives.
Benefits
In return, you can be a part of the UK’s leading independent Builders Merchant and winner of many industry awards. Some of the benefits we offer include:
- A competitive pay package.
- Performance related bonus
- People orientated culture.
- Substantial staff discounts.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Holiday scheme which rewards length of service.
- Perkbox discounts
- Contributory pension scheme
- Financial Planning Support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Enhanced Maternity
- Enhanced Paternity
- Substantial Employee Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health Support
MKM is the leading independent builders’ merchant in the UK, and we were established in 1995. Our people are what make us unique in what we do. Today we have more than 135 branches and over 3100 employees nationwide. Whilst we continue to grow, we are constantly striving to always attract, recruit, retain, promote, and support a diverse mix of colleagues that create a sense of belonging to the ‘MKM family’ for everyone. We hope you will join us on our journey!
Category Manager employer: MKM Building Supplies
Contact Detail:
MKM Building Supplies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with MKM's product categories and their market positioning. Understanding the specific needs of the branches and how they align with the overall business strategy will give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the builders' merchant sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into the role and the company culture at MKM.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with supplier relationship management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated terms or improved supplier performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your analytical skills, particularly in relation to sales and margin data. Being able to demonstrate your ability to use data to inform category strategies will be crucial in showcasing your commercial acumen.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management, particularly within the builders' merchant sector. Emphasise your commercial acumen and any successful supplier negotiations you've conducted.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and understanding of branch networks. Mention specific examples of how you've driven category profitability in previous roles to demonstrate your fit for the position.
Highlight Analytical Skills: In your application, be sure to mention your proficiency in analysing market and category data. Provide examples of how you've used data-driven insights to inform decisions and support local branches in their operations.
Showcase Communication Abilities: Since strong communication skills are essential for this role, include instances where you've effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your ability to communicate category plans clearly to ensure alignment across the business.
How to prepare for a job interview at MKM Building Supplies
✨Understand the Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Category Manager at MKM. Familiarise yourself with their product categories and how they engage with branch networks. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience in driving category profitability. Bring examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or implemented strategies that led to increased sales. This will highlight your ability to contribute to MKM's commercial success.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
Since the role involves performance analysis and reporting, be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Discuss specific metrics you've tracked and how they influenced your strategies, showcasing your analytical skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
MKM values cross-functional collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively with different teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you've ensured that local branch needs are met through collaborative efforts.
