Category Assistant

STARK Group; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Retirement savings plan

Life assurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption

Health & wellbeing services

WorkPerks discounts

Job summary

STARK Building Materials UK seeks a Category Assistant in Coventry, supporting the Category Managers with admin, systems and reporting. The role targets graduates with economics, business management or marketing degrees and offers progression within a collaborative team.

The role emphasises market knowledge, commercial reporting and strong communication with internal customers, suppliers and sales teams, with a hybrid working pattern and clear career progression.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate with degree in economics, business management or marketing.
• Work experience through summer breaks or university placements.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Numerical and analytical abilities with ability to meet deadlines.
• It literacy with Microsoft and database systems.

Responsibilities

• Support Category Managers in assigned categories with admin, systems, and reporting.
• Develop market and product knowledge and provide performance reporting.
• Create reports, memos, agendas and content for various spaces in the business.
• Act as first line contact for internal customers for pricing and trading support.
• Own and develop category plans for sub-categories as assigned by Line Manager.

Skills

Graduate

Communication

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Time management

IT literacy

English proficiency

maths

Relationship building

Education

Economics/Business/Marketing degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

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.

We’re searching for a Category Assistant to join us here at our Binley, Coventry HQ. We’re ideally looking for a Graduate to join us with a relevant degree such as economics, business management or marketing. The purpose of the role is to be a key support member of the commercial category team, working alongside other central support functions, branches and sales teams in maximising opportunities for growing sales and improving commercial returns. We can offer a clear and defined career progression path for the right individual.

Supporting the Category Manager through day-to-day admin, systems, reporting, relationship management and commercial requirements to deliver the best possible proposition to our internal customers, namely branch and sales colleagues, and act as a secondary contact for suppliers under the guidance of the category manager.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• Support the Category Managers within the assigned categories
• Develop a good understanding of the competitor landscape and provide detailed competitor intelligence to the Category Managers within their categories
• Support Category Managers in their categories in the provision of market and product knowledge, and business performance reporting to influence Category performance
• Act as the first line of contact for internal customers, namely Branch and Sales colleagues, in the provision of pricing and commercial trading support – primarily within their own categories
• Create reports, memos, agendas and content for various spaces across the business.
• Act as the secondary / support contact for internal customers, namely branch and Sales colleagues for other categories
• Work to ensure all relevant processes and system requirements are adhered to
• Establish and maintain successful relationships
• Own and develop the category plans for smaller sub-categories as assigned by Line Manager

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Recent graduate in economics, business management or marketing with an interest in a career in category and procurement.
• Work experience either gained during summer breaks or in a university placement.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal influencing, presentation, and people skills
• Demonstrable commercial awareness and good business acumen
• Ability to work on own or as part of a team and build personable relationships
• Able to manage workload and work to tight deadlines
• Ownership of internal customer queries and enquiries to point of resolution
• Understanding of the urgency of internal customer requirements
• Able to work under pressure and manage multiple simultaneous priorities
• Good numerical and analytical skills with ability to assimilate information
• Resilient and able to constructively challenge and influence
• Appetite to progress career in a fast moving, dynamic, rewarding, and exciting business during a period of growth and change
• IT literate in appropriate Microsoft and database systems
• Qualifications must include good level of Maths and English
• Driving licence (travel and overnight stays are required)

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid Working – 4 days at our Binley, Coventry office and 1 day WFH.
• Discretionary bonus
• Retirement savings plan
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child
• 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.
• WorkPerks – A platform home to hundreds of all your favourite high street and online discounts via the provider Reward Gateway.

Why Choose Us?

Quality - We’re unwavering in our commitment to providing outstanding products and service that exceed our customers’ expectations.

Supportive Environment - Join a culture that prioritises your growth, with the resources and support you need to excel. We listen and learn – we know we haven’t always got all the answers – listening and learning with you is what helps provide the best service to our customers.

Professional Development - We are invested in your success! Can we add this instead? You have a real chance to progress- the only limits are your own Explore our apprenticeships, training, and mentoring programs designed to elevate your career.

Great Benefits - Enjoy a compelling package that includes a competitive salary, bonuses, pension schemes, and life assurance, among many other perks!

Work-Life Balance - We value your well-being and offer flexible working hours and a hybrid working model to help you find your ideal rhythm

What's Next

If your application is successful, our Talent team will reach out to arrange an interview and answer any questions you may have. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure you can perform at your best throughout the application and interview process.