Commercial Category Development Manager in Watford

We’ve created a new position for a Commercial Category Development Manager. Reporting into our Sustainability Category Development Director, the role combines strategic planning, supplier management and cross‑functional collaboration to develop, launch and scale a new renewable category from the ground up. Responsibility involves the profitable growth and market position of this newly formed category.

What you’ll be doing:

• Product Strategy
  • Develop a clear, customer‑focused category strategy to build and establish entry into the renewable market, aiming for sales and profit growth over a three‑year period.
  • Develop and build category plans, to deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.
• Trading Management
  • Drive sales and profit through an activity plan including promotion, advertising and PR in alignment with the framework set by Marketing, Direct Channels and Operations Departments.
  • Managing SKU level cost and retail price in line with pricing and promotional strategy.
  • Deliver or exceed budgeted sales and margin whilst maintaining or growing market share.
  • Deliver margin improvements through trading terms negotiation, group synergy projects, direct sourcing and value chain analysis.
  • Analysing category performance data to inform in‑season trading and future propositional development, and take corrective action where necessary.
  • Ensure that all necessary admin procedures such as sales and margin reporting are completed.
  • Building category budget for sales and margin and re‑forecasting throughout the year.
  • Identify and execute opportunities for joint ventures, alliances or pilot programs.
• Supply & Sourcing
  • Build profitable supplier partnership to develop market position.
  • Develop a clear sourcing strategy to ensure the supply of quality products that meet the customer need through the most efficient route to market.
  • Develop high performing business partnerships with key suppliers, manufacturers and technology partners to maximise business opportunity.
  • Ensure cost effective exit of stock from the business.
  • Annual review and negotiation of all supplier trading terms ensuring they are aligned with commercial goals and documented in Enable Deal Track.
  • Monthly /annual tracking of supplier TA and Rebate contribution to ensure we can deliver budgeted expectations to manage any over or under delivery that can impact year end outturn.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Stay updated on renewable energy trends, policies, incentives and emerging technologies in order to be sector champion.
  • Translate market insight into actionable development plans.
  • Driving engagement with the category and its plans; be a visible ambassador/champion of your category, driving understanding through the business.
  • Effective cross‑functional / business matrix relationship management to ensure category delivers on budget.
• Development of Customer Product Offer
  • Project manage the entry into a renewable category to maximise sales and profit, this will include: sourcing new products and managing cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Deliver a customer focussed proposition.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver the optimum balance of quality and value that aligns with the Wickes brand proposition.
  • Coordinate and support of market analysis, identifying growth opportunities and forecast demand trends.
  • Build the category road map to drive innovation, competitiveness and profitability.
• Pricing & Promotions
  • Accurate management of cost and retail price.
  • Day to day management of cost file and ensuring our cost file enables us to deliver the budget and margin rate.
  • Management of retail pricing ensuring its within company policy.
  • Use Trade planning process to drive promotional plans to drive customer volume online and in store, ensuring we have supplier support to deliver margin investment.

What we’re looking for:

• The ideal candidate will have a degree or equivalent experience in buying with experience in category management or similar activity.
• You’ll also have experience developing & executing a category strategy and dealing with complex data analysis.
• Moderate Excel or Google Sheets skills.
• Supplier management.
• Ability to use analytical skills to draw insight to drive actions.
• Commercial acumen.
• Range development.
• Project delivery through cross‑functional teams.
• Good interpersonal skills and strong negotiation skills.
• Resilience under pressure.
• Able to work at pace.
• Flexible to changing demands.
• Ability to take ownership for actions and managing workload.
• Ability to achieve through others.

What can we offer you?

• You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.
• We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.
• We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
• Competitive bonus.
• Save‑as‑you‑earn scheme.
• Private Medical and Life Assurance.
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme.
• Colleague discount.
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme.

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. You’ll work from our Support Centre in Watford, where our Commercial team are based, along with our other support functions. We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi‑channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

Please contact us if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview.