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- Tasks: Lead strategic market reviews and optimise product categories in landscaping.
- Company: Join a leading retail company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension schemes, life assurance, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal development and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the landscaping sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail, strong analytical skills, and a passion for customer satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Hybrid working – based within commutable distance of Northampton. You will be responsible for strategic market and competitor reviews within the landscaping sector, range planning and optimisation, supplier selection, route-to-market decisions, cost of goods calculations, supplier SLAs, and ongoing supplier and category performance management. You will propose, define, and implement product category strategies covering ranging, brand proposition, supplier selection, pricing, trading margin, and route to market. You will be accountable for developing and executing specific category plans to deliver the best overall customer proposition. You will deliver the category budget for sales and margin and monitor trading performance, developing and executing action plans to achieve the plan. You will deliver margin/Cost of Goods improvements through supplier trading terms negotiations, group synergy projects, and sourcing programs. You will execute commercial projects by collaborating with stakeholders, including stores, trade teams, and marketing, on promotional plans and optimised range strategy. You will manage, lead and coach a Category Assistant, providing clear objectives, guidance on priorities, and fostering personal development and skills growth.
What you’ll bring:
- Commercial retail experience, ideally in Trade and DIY or fast‑paced retail sectors, with a proven record of delivering exceptional performance.
- Strong analytical capability, commercial acumen, supplier management, range development, and the ability to deliver projects through cross‑functional teams.
- Strong negotiation, leadership, and persuasive interpersonal skills.
- Ability to learn quickly, understand customer requirements, and build product knowledge across the building industry.
- Customer‑focused, confident, flexible, driven, enthusiastic, and committed to continuous improvement, taking ownership of actions and managing workload effectively.
What you’ll get:
Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with the role, contributory pension, BAYE and SAYE schemes, life assurance, and discounts on Travis Perkins businesses and a range of affiliate partners.
Equal Opportunities: Our policy is to employ the best qualified people and provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and not to discriminate against any person because of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or disability.
Category Manager - Landscaping in Bridgwater employer: Toolstation
Contact Detail:
Toolstation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Landscaping in Bridgwater
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the landscaping sector, attend industry events, and connect on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to be able to discuss market trends and category strategies confidently. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate strong negotiation abilities. We suggest role-playing with a friend or mentor to get comfortable with those tricky conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Landscaping in Bridgwater
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager in Landscaping. Highlight your commercial retail experience and any specific achievements in trade or DIY sectors that showcase your skills in supplier management and range development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the landscaping sector and how your analytical capabilities can drive category performance. Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience, especially if you’ve coached others before.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you improve margins or negotiate better supplier terms? Use numbers to back up your claims, as this will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to deliver results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Toolstation
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the landscaping sector. Understand current trends, key competitors, and market dynamics. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their category strategies.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions. Whether it's range planning or supplier selection, having concrete instances ready will demonstrate your strong analytical capability and commercial acumen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since the role involves managing a Category Assistant, highlight your leadership experiences. Share how you've guided teams, set clear objectives, and fostered development in others. This will show that you're not just a team player but also a capable leader.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Expect questions around negotiation tactics, especially regarding supplier trading terms. Think of past negotiations you've led, the strategies you employed, and the outcomes. This will showcase your persuasive interpersonal skills and ability to deliver margin improvements.