Head of Category

BG Automotive Ltd; Swindon; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BG Automotive Ltd. is seeking a Head of Category to lead the product strategy and oversee the product team. You will guide conception, development, innovation, and continuous improvement of products to meet customer needs and market trends.

You will manage the department, grow the team, and ensure all functions are effectively executed across the business, with a focus on profitability and market leadership in the automotive aftermarket.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of leadership/management experience or proven success as a Product Manager ready to step up.
• Excellent communication and people skills with assertive leadership.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and decision-making abilities.
• Commercial and financial expertise to guide product strategies.
• Advanced IT proficiency, especially in Excel (formulas, pivot tables).
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to synthesize data into actionable plans.
• Results-driven with a commitment to exceeding expectations.
• Automotive aftermarket experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Creating and owning the product strategy.
• Growing and managing the product team.
• Engaging key stakeholders and aligning the strategy across the business.
• Driving profitable growth across all product groups.
• Implementing the go-to-market strategy from planning to execution.
• Managing product performance, analysing trends, and identifying revenue or margin opportunities.
• Developing budgets, forecasts, and KPIs; monitoring and evaluating results.
• Ensuring cross-functional collaboration.
• Defining and implementing the pricing strategy.
• Delivering a sustainable new-to-range plan using project management tools.
• Marketing the range and brand to maintain prominence among professional tradespeople.
• Overseeing the product lifecycle from inception to retirement.
• Staying customer-focused, understanding their needs, and driving product demand.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Team development

Excel

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Head of Category will lead the product strategy and oversee all aspects of the product team, driving the achievement of KPIs through robust, forward-thinking plans. They will guide the conception, development, innovation, and continuous improvement of BGA's products, ensuring customer needs and market trends shape the strategy. This role involves managing the department, growing the team, and ensuring all functions are effectively executed.

Responsibilities will include:

• Creating and owning the product strategy.
• Growing and managing the product team.
• Engaging key stakeholders and aligning the strategy across the business.
• Driving profitable growth across all product groups.
• Implementing the go-to-market strategy from planning to execution.
• Managing product performance, analysing trends, and identifying revenue or margin opportunities.
• Developing budgets, forecasts, and KPIs; monitoring and evaluating results.
• Ensuring cross-functional collaboration.
• Defining and implementing the pricing strategy.
• Delivering a sustainable new-to-range plan using project management tools.
• Marketing the range and brand to maintain prominence among professional tradespeople.
• Overseeing the product lifecycle from inception to retirement.
• Staying customer-focused, understanding their needs, and driving product demand.

Requirements:

• Excellent communication and people skills with assertive leadership.
• 3+ years of leadership/management experience or proven success as a Product Manager ready to step up.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and decision-making abilities.
• Commercial and financial expertise to guide product strategies.
• Advanced IT proficiency, especially in Excel (formulas, pivot tables).
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to synthesize data into actionable plans.
• Results-driven with a commitment to exceeding expectations.
• Automotive aftermarket experience preferred.