Commercial Category Development Manager

Wickes; Watford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major home improvement retailer is seeking a Commercial Category Development Manager to lead the development of a new renewable category. This role requires strategic planning, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive profitable growth and establish market presence. Key responsibilities include creating category strategies, driving sales through promotions, and managing supplier relationships. Competitive benefits and career development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Competitive bonus

Private Medical and Life Assurance

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Colleague discount

Wellbeing strategy including employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience developing and executing a category strategy.
• Experience in category management or similar activity.
• Strong skills in data analysis and Excel or Google Sheets.

Responsibilities

• Develop a customer-focused category strategy for the renewable market.
• Drive sales and profit through a comprehensive activity plan.
• Manage supplier partnerships for product quality and delivery.

Skills

Analytical skills

Supplier management

Commercial acumen

Project delivery

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Excel skills

Education

Degree in buying or equivalent experience

Job description

Commercial Category Development Manager

Reports to the Sustainability Category Development Director and is responsible for developing, launching and scaling a new renewable category from the ground up. The role combines strategic planning, supplier management and cross‑functional collaboration to achieve profitable growth and a strong market position for the new category.

What you'll be doing

• Develop a clear, customer‑focused category strategy to build and establish entry into the renewable market, aiming for sales and profit growth over a three‑year period.
• Create and execute category plans that deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.

Product Strategy

• Develop a clear, customer‑focused category strategy to build and establish entry into the renewable market, aiming for sales and profit growth over a three‑year period.
• Develop and build category plans to deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.

Trading Management

• Drive sales and profit through an activity plan including promotion, advertising and PR in alignment with the framework set by Marketing, Direct Channels, and Operations Departments.
• Manage SKU‑level cost and retail price to match pricing and promotional strategy.
• Deliver or exceed budgeted sales and margin while maintaining or growing market share.
• Improve margin through trading terms negotiation, group synergy projects, direct sourcing and value‑chain analysis.
• Analyse category performance data to inform in‑season trading, future proposition development and corrective actions.
• Complete all necessary admin procedures such as sales and margin reporting.
• Build and re‑forecast the category budget for sales and margin throughout the year.
• Identify and execute opportunities for joint ventures, alliances or pilot programmes.

Supply & Sourcing

• Build profitable supplier partnerships to develop market position.
• Develop a clear sourcing strategy to ensure the supply of quality products that meet customer needs through the most efficient route to market.
• Develop high‑performing business partnerships with key suppliers, manufacturers and technology partners to maximise business opportunity.
• Ensure cost‑effective exit of stock from the business.
• Conduct the annual review and negotiation of all supplier trading terms to align with commercial goals and document them in Enable Deal Track.
• Track supplier TA and rebate contribution monthly/annually to manage any over or under delivery that can impact year‑end outturn.

Leadership & Team Development

• Stay updated on renewable energy trends, policies, incentives and emerging technologies to be a sector champion.
• Translate market insight into actionable development plans.
• Drive engagement with the category and its plans; act as a visible ambassador and champion of the category to build understanding throughout the business.
• Manage effective cross‑functional and business matrix relationships to ensure the category delivers on budget (retail ops, marketing, logistics, external suppliers).

Development of Customer Product Offer

• Project‑manage the entry into a renewable category to maximise sales and profit, sourcing new products and managing cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Deliver a customer‑focused proposition, collaborating with stakeholders to balance quality and value aligned with the Wickes brand proposition.
• Coordinate and support market analysis, identify growth opportunities and forecast demand trends.
• Build the category road map to drive innovation, competitiveness and profitability.

Pricing & Promotions

• Accurately manage cost and retail price.
• Day‑to‑day manage the cost file, ensuring it supports the budget and margin rate.
• Manage retail pricing to remain within company policy.
• Use the trade planning process to drive promotional plans that increase customer volume online and in‑store, ensuring supplier support for margin investment.

What we're looking for

• A degree or equivalent experience in buying with experience in category management or similar activity.
• Experience developing and executing a category strategy and dealing with complex data analysis.
• Moderate Excel or Google Sheets skills.
• Supplier management experience.
• Strong analytical skills to derive insight and drive actions.
• Commercial acumen.
• Range development expertise.
• Project delivery through cross‑functional teams.
• Good interpersonal skills and strong negotiation skills.
• Resilience under pressure.
• Ability to work at pace and adapt to changing demands.
• Ownership for actions and workload management.
• Ability to achieve through others.

What can we offer you

You'll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you're in your first few years of your career.

Benefits

• Competitive bonus
• Save‑as‑you‑earn scheme
• Private Medical and Life Assurance
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Wellbeing strategy, including employee assistance programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.

About Us

Wickes is a multi‑channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in the industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.

Our culture is collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive, and we pride ourselves on being a winning team. If that sounds like you, we’ll welcome you with open arms.

Reasonable Adjustments

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required – general enquiries or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.