Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the business plan for plumbing and heating categories to drive growth and support branches.
- Company: Join STARK, a leading building materials distributor in Northern Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, staff discounts, life assurance, and 34 days’ holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment with clear career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or procurement within merchanting or construction products.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on delivering exceptional service and sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
With the support of the Commercial/Category Director and/or Senior Category Manager, create and lead the business plan for allocated categories of responsibility to drive strategic & tactical growth of the categories to support the delivery of the budgeted sales and profit target. Ready to take the next step in your category career with a business that genuinely understands and partners the building merchants industry? At STARK, one of Northern Europe’s leading building materials distributors, we’re strengthening our commercial team and looking for Category Managers who know what it takes to support branches, deliver the right product ranges, and build strong supplier partnerships. If you enjoy getting under the skin of your categories, understand the realities of merchanting, and want to make a real impact, this could be the ideal next move.
We offer a supportive environment where your expertise is valued, along with a competitive salary, staff discount, life assurance and 34 days’ holiday (including bank holidays). You’ll also have clear opportunities to grow your career within a progressive, branch-focused organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Working closely with the Commercial/Category Director and Senior Category Manager, you’ll lead the business plan for the plumbing and heating categories – shaping strategy, driving sales and margin, and ensuring branches have all the products needed to do the job.
- This role is central to how we serve our customers. You’ll be the “go-to” expert for P&H, influencing everything from supplier agreements to pricing, promotions, and product range development.
- We currently have vacancies across a number of categories and would love to hear from you.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong experience in category management or procurement within merchanting, construction products, or a related industry.
- A proven track record of building ranges that meet customer project needs and deliver budgeted commercial results.
- Confidence negotiating supplier terms based on facts, insight, and strong commercial judgement.
- A deep understanding of customer needs, market trends and competitor activity.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable plans.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong communication skills, able to engage stakeholders at every level—including presenting to board and supplier leadership.
- Determination, ownership, and accountability – always focused on delivering improvements for branches, customers, and suppliers.
- Good IT literacy across Microsoft applications and database systems.
- Willingness to support, coach and develop junior team members.
In This Role, You Will
- Lead the 2–3-year category strategy, ensuring ranges deliver customer project requirements and meet sales and profit targets.
- Act as the first point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders on your categories.
- Negotiate and deliver supplier trading agreements aligned to group goals.
- Deliver clear reporting and insight on category performance, identifying opportunities to improve pricing, promotions, sales, and ranging.
- Understand and support STARK’s sustainability agenda, including responsible sourcing and category impact on emissions, packaging, and product circularity.
- Partner with STARK UK functions and local branches—helping them make great commercial decisions.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, adapting your approach to maximise collaboration and results.
- Support broader commercial projects and continuous improvement activities across the business.
- Role model safe, sustainable working practices.
What’s In It For You
- Discretionary bonus
- A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
- Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support
- Generous employee discounts
- Access to discounts with hundreds of your favourite high street and online retailers
- Retirement savings plan
- Life assurance
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child
Why STARK?
We’re proud to be part of STARK Building Materials UK and dedicated to providing top-quality products and exceptional service to our customers. We’re a friendly and collaborative team, passionate about what we do and committed to doing it well. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and join a team that is dedicated to providing great service, we want to hear from you. Apply today!
What’s next…
If your application is successful, our in-house recruitment team will be in touch to arrange an interview and to answer any initial questions you have. Where a role is advertised as full-time, we are open to discussing part-time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best. Stark Building Materials UK is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.
Category Manager - Plumbing and Heating in Coventry employer: Stark Building Materials UK
Contact Detail:
Stark Building Materials UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Plumbing and Heating in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the plumbing and heating industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching STARK and its competitors. Understand their products, market trends, and customer needs. This will help you showcase your knowledge and demonstrate how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to negotiate supplier terms effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach 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 STARK team. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Plumbing and Heating in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management, especially within merchanting or construction products. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about plumbing and heating categories and how you can drive growth. Let us know how your past experiences have prepared you for this role.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, mention specific examples where you've turned data into actionable plans. This will show us that you can deliver clear insights on category performance.
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 to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stark Building Materials UK
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the plumbing and heating categories. Understand current market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to lead the business plan effectively.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiating supplier terms is a key part of the role, think about past experiences where you've successfully negotiated agreements. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will showcase your commercial judgement and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've turned data into actionable plans in previous roles. Bring examples of how your analytical skills have led to improved sales or product ranges. This will highlight your ability to deliver results and meet budgeted targets.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've communicated with various stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share examples of how you've presented to senior leadership or collaborated with teams. Strong communication skills are essential, so showing your ability to engage at all levels will set you apart.
