Category Manager

Total Tools and Hardware Group; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5th week of annual leave

2 wellbeing days

1 volunteer day

Job summary

Metcash is seeking a Category Manager for the Heatherton, VIC area to own a strategic hardware category within our Trade Merchandise team. You will work with major suppliers, drive promotional activity, and partner with stores to shape profitable ranges.

With support from a Category Assistant, you will negotiate terms, manage pricing, and lead promotional programs, staying ahead of trends to keep the range competitive and relevant.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management, Buying or Merchandise roles.
• Strong commercial acumen with confidence negotiating with large, branded suppliers.
• Experience managing complex ranges, pricing structures and promotional programs.
• A customer-first mindset with the ability to translate trends into commercial outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to balance margin, income and competitiveness.
• The confidence to partner cross-functionally with stores, suppliers and internal teams.
• Knowledge in Trade/Building Supplies will be beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Owning the end-to-end performance of a highly strategic category.
• Managing a large, complex SKU base with a strong focus on commercial outcomes.
• Building and leading strategic supplier relationships, negotiating pricing, trading terms and promotional plans.
• Delivering engaging promotional programs that drive sales and customer interest.
• Partnering closely with stores to gather feedback, shape ranges and ensure the category delivers at store level.
• Staying on top of customer trends, and category developments to keep the range relevant and market-leading.

Skills

Category Management

Buying

Merchandise

Supplier negotiations

Promotional planning

Analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Date: 17 Aug 2026

Location: Heatherton, VIC, AUSTRALIA

Company: Metcash

About The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a Category Manager to join our Trade Merchandise team at our Heatherton National Support Office. This is a high-impact role where you'll take ownership of one of our trade categories in our hardware pillar.

With the support of a Category Assistant, you'll work closely with major suppliers, drive promotional programs that genuinely excite customers, and partner with stores to shape ranges that win on value, relevance and profitability.

This role offers deep exposure to supplier negotiations, promotional strategy, trend-led ranging and store collaboration - ideal for a commercially sounded Category Manager who enjoys both strategy and hands-on execution.

What You'll Be Doing

• Owning the end-to-end performance of a highly strategic category
• Managing a large, complex SKU base with a strong focus on commercial outcomes
• Building and leading strategic supplier relationships, negotiating pricing, trading terms and promotional plans
• Delivering engaging promotional programs that drive sales and customer interest
• Partnering closely with stores to gather feedback, shape ranges and ensure the category delivers at store level
• Staying on top of customer trends, and category developments to keep the range relevant and market-leading

You're likely a match if you have

• Proven experience in Category Management, Buying or Merchandise roles
• Strong commercial acumen with confidence negotiating with large, branded suppliers
• Experience managing complex ranges, pricing structures and promotional programs
• A customer-first mindset with the ability to translate trends into commercial outcomes
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to balance margin, income and competitiveness
• The confidence to partner cross-functionally with stores, suppliers and internal teams
• Knowledge in Trade/Building Supplies will be beneficial but not essential

What's On Offer

• Extra Leave: Enjoy a 5th week of annual leave, 2 well-being days, plus 1 volunteer day annually
• Career Growth: Endless learning and development opportunities
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid leave for primary carers
• Inclusive Culture: Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion
• Neutral Pay Gap: Gender pay gap under 5% (WGEA 2024 2025)
• Mental Health: Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia
• Flexibility: Flex Ready and Family Friendly Workplace accredited

About Us

At Total Tools & Hardware Group (Part of Metcash), we're more than just a group of hardware and tool retailers - we're a national network helping build stronger communities.

Backed by trusted brands like Mitre 10, Total Tools, and Home Timber & Hardware, TTHG supports independently owned, joint venture, and company-owned stores across Australia.

With a strong focus on local ownership and expert advice, we give tradies, builders, and DIYers the edge they need to tackle any job - big or small. Whether it's trade-quality tools from Total Tools or reliable hardware from Mitre 10 and HTH, TTHG is the powerhouse behind the stores that keep Australia building.