Category Manager

W Talent; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

W Talent is working with a Birmingham-based business seeking an experienced Category Manager to join its purchasing team. The role focuses on own-brand products, balancing sourcing from the Far East with the UK manufacturing facility to optimise cost, quality and margin.

Reporting to the Head of Purchasing, you will lead a category strategy, manage suppliers globally, run tenders, plan trade show visits and oversee product lifecycle management while acting as the internal and customer SME.

Responsibilities

• Create and deliver a category strategy that grows both sales and profitability
• Manage and develop the supplier base, sourcing new suppliers globally
• Run the annual supplier tender calendar and drive best cost first time
• Plan supplier and trade show visits
• Lead product life cycle management and work with internal teams on new ideas
• Act as the subject matter expert, internally and with customers

Job description

I’m working with a Birmingham based business that is looking for an experienced Category Manager to join its purchasing team. It’s an award winning business with production sites across Europe and South East Asia, serving some of the biggest names in food and retail, and it is fully BRC accredited.

The role:

You will take full ownership of a diverse category and product range, with a particular focus on own brand products. That means sourcing from the Far East and also working with the business’s own UK manufacturing facility, so you will be balancing both routes to market to get the best result on cost, quality and margin.

Reporting to the Head of Purchasing, and supported by a team of Category Assistants, you will:

• Create and deliver a category strategy that grows both sales and profitability
• Manage and develop the supplier base, sourcing new suppliers globally
• Run the annual supplier tender calendar and drive best cost first time
• Plan supplier and trade show visits
• Lead product life cycle management and work with internal teams on new ideas
• Act as the subject matter expert, internally and with customers

What they are looking for:

• Proven experience managing a category within a purchasing function
• A track record of successful cost reduction and improved margins
• Retail, packaging or FMCG experience would be a distinct advantage
• Commercially minded, comfortable working autonomously and as part of a team