Commercial Category Lead

hib.; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company is looking for a category manager to lead product lifecycle management and innovation strategies. This role involves collaborating with designers, conducting market analysis, and ensuring product quality. Candidates should have experience in category management and a strong analytical and creative approach. Benefits include hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary

Hybrid working

23 days annual leave

Your birthday off

Wellbeing day off

Health care cash plan

Private Medical Insurance

Enhanced Parental Leave

Charity volunteering days

Qualifications

• Experience of category management within a product development role.
• Strong innovation-led approach to identifying gaps and opportunities.
• An analytical approach to reviewing sales and understanding potential product gaps.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Collaborate with designers to develop products matching company ethos.
• Conduct market analysis to identify innovation opportunities.

Skills

Category management

Strong communication skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Creativity

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Overview

At hib., we believe the bathroom is more than just a space, it's a reflection of who you are, a sanctuary designed to inspire and uplift. For 35 years, we've been dedicated to helping homeowners create bathrooms that feel personal, meaningful, and full of life. What drives us is our incredible team, whose creativity and dedication breathe life into every project we touch.

We're proud to be recognised as a Great Place To Work in 2025, one of the top 50 companies to work for in 2023, and one of the top 10 in the manufacturing sector. But it's not just the awards that matter to us, it's the way we care for our people.

Here at hib., you'll find a community that values collaboration, fosters innovation, and prioritises your professional and personal growth. We listen to your ideas, invest in your development, and put your well-being at the heart of everything we do.

Join us and be part of a team that celebrates creativity, encourages growth, and is truly passionate about making a difference, both in the industry and in the lives of everyone who walks through our doors.

What We Offer

• Competitive basic salary
• Hybrid working
• 23 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• Wellbeing day off
• Health care cash plan
• EAP helpline
• Private Medical Insurance
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Charity volunteering days
• Training and Development
• Benefits & Discounts Platform

How You Will Make a Difference

• Create and develop a long-term plan for your category including new areas of growth, existing product development and range extensions.
• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and development through to launch and commercial performance & ultimately create, develop and implement an exit strategy for products at end of life.
• Collaborate closely with in-house and external designers to develop products that reflect hib.\'s design ethos and customer expectations.
• Conduct market and trend analysis to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Define product positioning, pricing, and promotional strategies to maximise commercial impact.
• Work cross-functionally with design, development, supply chain, and sales teams to bring products to market efficiently.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback to inform future design and commercial decisions.
• Work with the quality team to ensure all products meet sustainability, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Manage the product category ensuring it is maximised to its full potential and be responsible for the pricing and overall promotion of products in line with the brand and company objectives.
• Maintain an effective and close relationship with the quality department to ensure hib.\'s high standards are met.
• Implement development and improvement strategies covering all areas of process, including buying and supplier management, visual display and sales performance management.
• Ensure all promoted visual display elements are correct in the brochure and retail stores/showrooms.
• Maintain the communication of the NPD process and updates across all departments.
• Collaborate with other category managers to ensure consistency of brand.
• Contribute to the effective planning of product launches together with Marketing, Purchasing and Sales departments.

What You Will Need To Succeed In Your Role

• Experience of category management within a product development role.
• A solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint .
• A clear understanding of overall business strategies and target audiences.
• Strong innovation led approach to identifying gaps and opportunities.
• An analytical approach to reviewing sales and understanding potential product gaps and opportunities .
• Creative Flair, innovation and originality, imagination and a strong visual sense .
• Strong communication across all departments and team collaborative skills .
• Great attention to detail and strong project management skills.