Senior Category Manager

Rise Resourcing; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Rise Resourcing is seeking a senior Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies across a broad product portfolio. The role leads end-to-end category management, from range planning and supplier negotiations to pricing, promotions, and performance analysis.

You will lead a team and collaborate cross-functionally to keep the product offer competitive, relevant, and aligned with customer demand. Strong negotiation, analytics, and stakeholder management are essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in buying or category management.
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth and margin improvement.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent commercial and analytical capability with data-driven decision making.
• Understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, and retail dynamics.
• Excellent planning, organisation and stakeholder management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies that support business growth and commercial objectives.
• Build customer-focused product ranges across general merchandise categories.
• Identify market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities.
• Own category performance across sales, margin, stock turn, and sell-through.
• Lead, coach, and develop junior members of the team.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
• Drive continuous improvement in buying processes and decision-making.
• Lead commercial negotiations on cost prices, trading terms, and promotions.

Skills

Buying

Category management

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Job description

You will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that maximise sales, margin, and market share across a broad product portfolio. You will lead the category management process end-to-end, from range planning and supplier negotiations to pricing, promotions, and performance analysis.

Leading a team you will also work cross functionally working harmoniously with the wider business and will ensure product offer remains competitive, relevant, and aligned with customer demand.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Range Planning

• Develop and deliver category strategies that support business growth and commercial objectives
• Build customer-focused product ranges across general merchandise categories
• Identify market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities
• Optimise product assortment to drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and brand partners
• Lead commercial negotiations on cost prices, trading terms, and promotional support
• Source new suppliers and products that strengthen category performance
• Ensure suppliers consistently deliver against quality, service, and compliance standards

Commercial Performance

• Own category performance across sales, margin, stock turn, and sell-through
• Use trading data and market insights to identify opportunities and risks
• Develop pricing and promotional strategies to maximise profitability
• Monitor product lifecycle and take action to manage slow-moving inventory

Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop junior members of the team
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture
• Drive continuous improvement in buying processes and decision-making

What They are Looking For

• Significant experience in buying or category management
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth and margin improvement
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• Excellent commercial and analytical capability with confidence using data to inform decisions
• Strong understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, and retail dynamics
• Excellent planning, organisation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment