Group Category Manager STANLEY

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.; Ambleside; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global tools company in Ambleside is seeking a Group Category Manager to develop and implement effective merchandising strategies and align them with market trends. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, 8 years of experience in the consumer products industry, and a strong data-driven mindset. This role includes leading cross-functional teams, managing portfolio performance, and executing retail strategies to enhance product visibility and sales. Competitive compensation and benefits package offered.

Benefits

Access to digital learning portal

Inclusive workplace

Volunteerism opportunities

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience within the Consumer Products Industry.
• 3 years of people leadership experience.
• Commercial execution experience (essential).

Responsibilities

• Create market-back assortment strategies that align with global brand objectives.
• Manage portfolio performance with key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Support regional teams in optimizing retail planograms.

Skills

Market & competitor analysis

Assortment planning

Leadership

Data-driven mindset

Education

Bachelor's Degree – Business Administration, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Overview

This role is focused on translating global brand strategies into actionable regional merchandising strategies. The Group Category Manager leads cross‑functional teams to execute these strategies ensuring they align with user customer and industry trends. The position involves developing a global assortment strategy and optimizing retail planograms to enhance market presence. Market Understanding / Insights | Market Insights: Transform market intelligence into actionable insights that drive merchandising initiatives and inform go‑to‑market plans. Intelligence Development: Lead the development of intelligence strategies by aligning research and analysis priorities to identify consumer needs, preferences, and competitive landscapes. Trend Monitoring: Stay informed about industry trends and innovations to identify new opportunities for growth and differentiation. Product Portfolio Management | Global Assortment Strategy Implementation: Develop and implement a global assortment strategy that aligns with brand and category strategies ensuring consistency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Create both top‑down and market‑back regional assortment strategies that drive growth and align with global brand objectives.
• Manage in‑market portfolio performance by identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting ongoing analysis, and proactively organizing efforts to enhance performance.
• Ensure that assortment strategies are aligned with user customer and industry trends to maintain relevance and competitiveness.
• Support regional teams in executing and optimizing retail planograms to maximize product visibility and sales.
• Develop comprehensive launch plans for new products and assortment introductions ensuring successful market entry.
• Track and analyze the success of merchandising efforts, providing performance‑based insights to inform future strategies.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful execution of assortment strategies, fostering collaboration and alignment.
• Deliver category education and storytelling to internal and external stakeholders, enhancing understanding and support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree – Business Administration, Marketing, Business Analytics, or related field.
• 8 years of experience within the Consumer Products Industry.
• 3 years of people leadership experience.
• Market & competitor analysis skills.
• Assortment planning and commercial execution experience (essential).
• Data‑driven mindset.

Benefits & Perks

• Grow – Be part of a global company with 20 brands to grow and develop your skills across multiple career paths.
• Learn – Access a wealth of learning resources, including our digital learning portal.
• Belong – Experience an inclusive workplace that respects and values diverse perspectives.
• Give Back – Participate in volunteerism and sustainable business practices that create positive local and global impact.

Compensation

The base pay range for this position in Maryland is $75,800 – $136,400 per year. Pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign‑on payment may be provided as part of the compensation package in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, depending on the position offered. Applicants should apply through the Stanley Black & Decker careers site.