Retail Category Manager

Procurement Heads; England; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruiting agency is seeking a confident and analytical Category Manager to join a globally recognized B2B manufacturer. This role involves managing a complex product portfolio, conducting market analyses, and leading strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will work in a hybrid environment, earning up to £40,000 with additional bonuses, while contributing to the ongoing growth of the company.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Company bonus

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management, Product Management, or Merchandising.
• Strong data analysis skills; comfortable with incomplete datasets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage end-to-end category strategy.
• Conduct market, competitor, and internal data analyses.
• Lead full range reviews and identify gaps in product offering.

Skills

Category Management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Tools

Excel

Job description

Procurement Head’s Industrial team are proud to be supporting a globally recognised B2B manufacturer and distributor of consumables and machinery for warehousing and logistics environments

Hybrid working - 3 days, West Northamptonshire
Salary up to £40,000
Bonus
International travel

Our client are looking to expand their retail Category Management team and are seeking an additional confident, analytical, and commercially drivenCategory Managerto share ownership of a complex, high-volume product portfolio. Currently managing 8 categories totalling over 5,000 SKUs, this role requires a hands-on individual capable of developing processes from scratch, enhancing existing processes challenging stakeholders, and driving real commercial outcomes across a broad range of product types — from wrapping and boxes to large-scale industrial automation systems.

Reporting into the Head of Procurement, you will join forces with the existing Category Manager to enhance the category management function. Role will include full range ownership, involving strategic planning, market analysis, Gap identification, NPD recommendations, pricing proposals, and cross-functional collaboration across procurement, sales, marketing, finance, and sustainability. The successful candidate must be highly resilient, data-savvy, and experienced in navigating ambiguity within fast-paced B2B retail or manufacturing environments.

This is an opportunity to really make your mark in an evolving function and to play a huge role in the companies ongoing growth and success.


Key Responsibilities:

In partnership with the other Category Manager, You will:

• Own and manage end-to-end category strategy across all category groups
• Conduct market, competitor and internal data analysis to inform range development
• Lead full range reviews: identify gaps, evaluate performance, and drive rationalisation and expansion (including NPD)
• Build ROI business cases for new product proposals and present to stakeholders
• Define product specifications and collaborate with Procurement on sourcing
• Work closely with Finance to agree target costs, margin models and pricing structures
• Develop and maintain structured documents and templates for repeatable range reviews and other key duties
• Manage product lifecycles, including catalogue entries, descriptions and exits
• Act as the key category liaison across all internal departments
• Support sustainability and eco-focused product initiatives

Requirements:

• Proven Category Management, Product Management or Merchandising experience in B2B/Retail/Manufacturing/B2C
• Strong data analysis and Excel skills – comfortable working with incomplete or messy datasets
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience building or improving processes from scratch
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on delivery mindset
• Commercial acumen and ability to write clear, compelling business cases
• Experience working across a wide product range

Desirable:

• Experience in packaging, industrial supplies, warehouse equipment, consumables or automated machinery

Salary & Benefits:

• Hybrid working 3 days a week in Towcester office and the rest home working
• Up to £40,000
• Company bonus