At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and drive profitable growth across European markets.
- Company: Dynamic company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension plans, health benefits, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for travel and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our category while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a hybrid role, offering a combination of working remotely and from our European offices. Some travel across our European business will be involved.
The Category Director is accountable for developing the category strategy/business plan aligned with group, regional and local stakeholders, enabling targeted profitable growth, customer acquisition and ROI, while managing suppliers to deliver a best‑in‑class regional offer for our customers. The strategy defines the regional supplier portfolio, product range and growth initiatives and supports local go‑to‑market strategies in specific industry verticals and hero brands. Alongside strategy development and execution, the Category Director delivers budgeted category revenue and margin performance, manages stock metrics, optimises commercial terms with suppliers, and leads senior and C‑suite supplier relationships to drive joint growth.
What You Will Be Doing
- Lead the development and execution of the aligned Category strategy, supporting regional and market go‑to‑market plans.
- Deliver budgeted category revenue, margin, and stock turn targets.
- Achieve agreed targets for regional initiatives such as Direct Procurement.
- Grow market share for strategic and key suppliers and the category as a whole.
- Achieve rebate and marketing funding targets.
- Execute agreed NPI plan for the Category and deliver budgeted NPI revenue.
- Align and manage the E2E category team to achieve cross‑functional KPIs.
- Support growth and development of top talent within the Category, and execute succession plans.
- Develop a digital mindset within the team to make better business decisions.
What You’ll Bring
Essential experience required
- Demonstrable expertise at managing within a matrix organisation.
- Experience of both Buying and Product management (Category management) delivering great growth results whilst improving commercial profitability.
- Successful development and execution of a category strategy that has delivered profitable growth and market share gains.
- Ability to function effectively across cultures, to think and act appropriately and to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
- Successful supplier management experience, including negotiation expertise.
- Collaborative team player finding common ground to find a way forward.
- Strong commercial acumen and communication skills.
- Proven ability to lead and develop high performing teams.
- Problem solving capabilities, finding positive solutions from challenging circumstances.
- Can demonstrate effective working and adaption to a changing environment, quickly accepting and driving the change through themselves and their team.
Desirable
- Relevant technology experience/technical expertise.
- Ability to communicate effectively in a second language alongside fluent English, ideally having lived in more than one country.
Key opportunities for growth in this role
- Help shape the strategic direction for the region through offering insight at a category level, informed by suppliers investment plans/strategic direction.
- Opportunity to develop influencing skills and build cross‑functional relationships across the region.
- Develop senior external supplier relationships, broadening understanding of external markets (suppliers/industries/technologies).
- Optimise negotiation skills through Supplier interactions to optimise commercial returns for RS Group.
- Interaction with the broader P&SC leadership team to better understand the E2E dynamics of buying and distributing products.
- Opportunity to be an evangelist for RS Group with suppliers, selling our value proposition and embedding RS as a preferred partner within their go‑to‑market strategy/approach.
- Driving innovation through adapting to new technology or finding new solutions to solve problems/challenges.
Rewards
- Financial - pension/retirement; life assurance; salary finance (payroll deduction loan scheme)
- Wellbeing - medical plans; health screening; critical illness; disability insurance; holiday / paid time off; employee assistance programme; discounted gym/health club membership
- Lifestyle - transportation assistance schemes (e.g., cycle to work, travel loans, car leasing); onsite catering/lunch vouchers; retail discounts
- Spotlight – our global recognition programme provides a platform to highlight and recognise people role modelling our values
Category Director employer: RS UK & Ireland
As a Category Director at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic hybrid work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation across our European offices. We prioritise employee growth through tailored development opportunities, a strong focus on wellbeing, and a culture that celebrates achievements, ensuring you are well-supported in your journey to drive strategic success and profitability. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values diverse perspectives and empowers you to make impactful decisions.
