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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Own Brand strategy and collaborate with teams to drive product growth.
- Company: Join RS Group, a global leader in engineering solutions with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, career development opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving engineering challenges and driving product success.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with over 9000 employees worldwide.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Category Manager
Available Locations (Hybrid): UK (London, Corby, Manchester), Germany (Frankfurt), Italy (Milan), Latvia (Riga)
The RS Pro team have an opening for a Category Manager!
The Category Manager develops and executes the Own Brand strategy for their aligned product technologies through product knowledge, sourcing, negotiation, bringing the goods to market, reporting and end of life range decisions.
You’ll be working in close collaboration with the RS PRO team in Compliance, Quality, Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability, the global sourcing team, the local regional stakeholders and the data team – ensuring to deliver profitable growth, accelerated customer acquisition and superior ROI.
With a mandate covering RS the role operates internationally across EMEA and APAC regions as well as globally in conjunction with strategic supplier relationships.
What you will be doing:
Delivering the RS PRO NPI Road Map, strategies and business plans
Conducting supplier range reviews and engagement to maximise growth
Ensuring the product range is fully aligned to customer needs
Delivering product range growth by supplier and product segment
Effective lifecycle management
Effective use of Data insights to maximise customer penetration
Deliver KPIs for managed suppliers and technologies:
Revenue
Margin
Return on Investment
Customer acquisition
Number of products sold
New product introduction revenue
Inventory health
Own Brand (RS Pro) share of category
Influencing NES and NPS scores
What we are looking for from you, in order to be successful in this role:
Category Management experience (Own-Brand experience would be an advantage)
Prior experience managing suppliers, and negotiating win-win outcomes
An understanding of product lifecycle and new product introduction, preferably in own brand.
Product range knowledge within Industrial Automation, Facilities Maintenance or Electronics
Strong commercial acumen, including interpreting and understanding large data-sets
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Strong analytical skillset and strong attention to detail
Experience of online trading and digital tools
A collaborative team player
Positive can-do attitude, takes ownership and results oriented
Strong influencing skills and ability to negotiate with suppliers.
Operational problem solver and good process management capability
Experience working with leading suppliers / brands
Experience of working in a matrix and cross-cultural environment
Experience of working with an online digital toolset
Experience of working in a Commercial environment
We are RS Group:
At RS we’ve been solving engineering problems for over 80 years: big ones, small ones, easy and difficult ones. We turn the ‘what ifs’ into the ‘why nots’, the impossible into the possible.
Our purpose? Making amazing happen for a better world.
We offer service and product solutions. We send out a parcel every 2 seconds, to over 130 countries. We provide over 700,000 in-stock and over 3 million unstocked products to more than 1.2 million customers.
We want people like you, as you are curious about things, you like doing things differently and also in a human way with empathy. Because that’s exactly how we partner with people – our customers, suppliers, colleagues and communities – to solve problems.
We’ll also invest in your development and wellbeing – because building a more diverse and inclusive culture, being ethical, responsible and committed to our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) action plan is at the heart of everything we do.
Come and join us and over 9000 employees worldwide – and we’ll help you to think big, do more and unleash your brilliance, so you do amazing things too.
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Category Manager, RS Pro employer: RS Components
Contact Detail:
RS Components Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager, RS Pro
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 values and how they align with your own. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate win-win outcomes. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the RS Pro team and making amazing things happen.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager, RS Pro
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management, especially with Own-Brand products, and show how your skills align with our needs at RS Pro.
Showcase Your Data Skills: We love data! Include examples of how you've used data insights to drive decisions in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to maximise customer penetration, which is key for us.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since you'll be working closely with various teams, share instances where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders. This could be in supplier negotiations or cross-functional projects – we want to see your team spirit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RS Components
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of the product range and its lifecycle. Research RS Pro's offerings, especially in Industrial Automation and Electronics, and be ready to discuss how you can align these products with customer needs.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since managing suppliers and negotiating win-win outcomes is key, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms or resolved conflicts. Highlight your ability to influence and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
With a focus on using data insights to drive growth, come prepared to discuss how you've used data in previous roles. Be ready to share specific metrics you've improved and how you interpret large datasets to inform your strategies.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
This role requires working closely with various teams, so highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated with different stakeholders and contributed to team success in a matrix environment.