Category Manager

Sadler Recruitment; Bridgend; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sadler Recruitment's client, a global sporting goods manufacturer, is hiring a Category Manager to own designated product categories across their lifecycle, from range planning to end-of-life decisions. Based in Bridgend with a possible hybrid setup, the role sits at the intersection of Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Supply Chain.

You'll lead category strategies to grow sales, profitability and market share, analyse market trends, prepare data-driven reports, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management or similar commercial role.
• Experience translating market insight into commercial strategy.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with business reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial performance of designated product categories across their full lifecycle, from range planning through to end-of-life decisions.
• Develop category strategies with the aim of growing sales, profitability, and market share within those categories.
• Lead category reviews, presenting data-backed recommendations to internal stakeholders and to key retail partners.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing and Supply Chain on launches, pricing, and inventory.

Skills

Category Management

Product Management

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Bridgend (possibly hybrid offering - 3&2)

About the Role

Our client is a global sporting goods manufacturer, distributing well-known brands to retail partners in the UK and internationally. They are hiring a Category Manager to take ownership of designated product categories, covering commercial performance, product range decisions, and category strategy.

The role sits at the intersection of Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Supply Chain, and reports into the wider commercial function.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Performance

• Own the commercial performance of designated product categories across their full lifecycle, from range planning through to end-of-life decisions.
• Develop category strategies with the aim of growing sales, profitability, and market share within those categories.
• Lead category reviews, presenting data-backed recommendations to internal stakeholders and to key retail partners.

Data & Market Analysis

• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, and commercial performance data to identify specific growth opportunities within each category.
• Use customer, sales, and market data to make decisions on product ranges, pricing, merchandising, and promotional activity.
• Produce regular commercial reports, forecasts, and performance insights using Excel and business reporting tools.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Product Development to identify opportunities for new products, product enhancements, or range rationalisation, based on demand and commercial potential.
• Work with Marketing on product launches and seasonal campaigns.
• Work with Supply Chain on stock availability and inventory performance.
• Build relationships with key customers and distributors, including joint business planning.

Experience Required

• Proven experience in Category Management, Product Management, or a similar commercial role with direct responsibility for product performance.
• Experience translating market insight into commercial strategy, with evidence of measurable results.
• Advanced Excel skills, and experience using business reporting tools (please specify which, if known, e.g. Power BI, Tableau).
• Experience presenting data-driven recommendations to internal stakeholders and external retail partners.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret data sets and translate them into commercial decisions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to stakeholders at different levels.
• Project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple categories or workstreams at once.
• Experience influencing decisions across departments that don't report directly into this role.
• Experience within sporting goods, consumer products, or retail specifically.
• Knowledge of category management principles and shopper insight data.
• Experience working across international markets.

This role should interest people that have been in Category Manager or a Product Manager (FMCG or retail).