Category Lead - General Merchandise

Elders Rural Services; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Elders is seeking a Category Lead - General Merchandise to drive the regional implementation of the national retail strategy across the Elders branch network. Ideally based in Toowoomba, but Queensland or Northern NSW candidates may be considered.

You will lead category performance, build capability within branches and collaborate with Retail Centre of Direction, Branch Managers and agronomists to deliver targeted growth and margins across the region.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business or Agriculture or equivalent.
• Experience in rural products, retail or agribusiness.
• Strong knowledge of logistics, inventory and supply chain processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver growth opportunities by developing and implementing targeted regional initiatives, including opportunities across new products, customer segments, markets and channels.
• Build category capability across the region by providing branch teams with relevant product, service and sales process knowledge, and developing practical resources such as category insights, sales tools and customer engagement strategies.
• Partner with key stakeholders to improve category outcomes by working closely with the Retail Centre of Direction, Branch Managers, agronomists and branch retail teams to execute category plans, drive margin improvement and ensure alignment with national strategy.
• Develop strong supplier and industry relationships by managing relationships with suppliers and technical representatives, leveraging their expertise and insights to support category growth, product adoption and regional performance.

Skills

Agricultural industry experience

Inventory management

Supply chain knowledge

Merchandising / category management

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree in Business or Agriculture

Job description

Accepting a role with Elders means you will be joining a team ready to support and grow your career. Be part of a culture that has been in the making for more than 185 years, a culture so strong it is almost tangible. Much like the farmers and communities we work with, you will experience, passion, dedication and resilience across all parts of the business. With such an iconic, essential business in the Australian landscape we are confident that you too will be proud to grow your career at Elders and wear the pink shirt.

About the role

We are looking for a Category Lead - General Merchandise to join our growing team on a permanent, full-time basis.

Location: Ideally based in Toowoomba; however, we’re open to considering the right candidate from anywhere across Queensland or Northern NSW.

As a Category Lead - General Merchandise, you will be responsible for driving the regional implementation of the national retail strategy across the Elders branch network for your designated category. Reporting to the Region Retail Manager, you will provide specialist expertise, guidance and support to branch retail teams to help achieve category targets and deliver strong commercial outcomes across the region.

Working collaboratively with branch and regional teams, you will leverage your expertise and influence to build capability, drive category performance and ensure the network operates in alignment with national retail strategy, priorities and direction.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver growth opportunities by developing and implementing targeted regional initiatives, including opportunities across new products, customer segments, markets and channels.
• Build category capability across the region by providing branch teams with relevant product, service and sales process knowledge, and developing practical resources such as category insights, sales tools and customer engagement strategies.
• Partner with key stakeholders to improve category outcomes by working closely with the Retail Centre of Direction, Branch Managers, agronomists and branch retail teams to execute category plans, drive margin improvement and ensure alignment with national strategy.
• Develop strong supplier and industry relationships by managing relationships with suppliers and technical representatives, leveraging their expertise and insights to support category growth, product adoption and regional performance.

About you

• A degree in Business, Agriculture or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience. Relevant accreditation for the assigned category (e.g. Agsafe, ChemCert, nutrition or animal health) is desirable or required where applicable.
• Agricultural industry experience, ideally within rural products, retail or an agribusiness environment.
• Strong knowledge of product logistics, inventory management and supply chain processes.
• Branch management experience is desirable, with strong commercial acumen across margin, inventory management and return on capital.
• Sound understanding of marketing, pricing, product ranging and margin management, including promotional planning and execution.

About Elders

As a trusted Australian agribusiness, we have played an important role in the agricultural sector for over 185 years. Our expansive network across Australia offers links to markets, tailored advice and specialist knowledge across a range of products and services, including farm supplies, agronomy, livestock, wool, grain, finance, insurance, and real estate.

We are committed to a sustainable and prosperous future for rural and regional communities and creating value for all stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain, across both Australian and international markets.

Elders is for Australian agriculture.

We are now looking for the next generation to be part of something big and drive the future of Elders.

Please note, applications may be shortlisted as they are received.

At Elders, we strive to create a safe environment where everyone can thrive. We aspire to do this by recognising talent, promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity. No matter how you identify, we encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for roles at Elders.

We will accept applications from all people with the right to live and work in Australia.