Strategic Category Manager – Automotive & Leisure (Hybrid)

Procurement People; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-related bonus

Early finish every Friday

25+ days annual leave

Enhanced pension scheme

Enhanced health cash plan

Free on-site parking

Job summary

A leading procurement firm in Birmingham seeks a strategic Product Category Manager to oversee the Automotive Aftermarket and Leisure portfolios. This role involves full commercial accountability, from managing supplier relationships to driving product innovation. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in category management, a degree in business or marketing, and is data-driven. Attractive benefits include a performance bonus, hybrid working options, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Category Manager or Senior Buyer in retail or distribution.
• Degree-educated in a relevant field.
• Data-driven with analytical capacity to interpret market trends.
• MCIPS qualified or pursuing certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and onboard new suppliers to optimize supply chain.
• Lead negotiations for pricing and contractual terms.
• Drive new product development by identifying market gaps.
• Manage the product lifecycle from inventory to end-of-life.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Commercial Negotiation

Product Innovation

Lifecycle Management

Market Intelligence

Cross-Functional Leadership

Analytical Skills

Technical Literacy

Education

Degree in business or marketing-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

ERP systems (like Epicor)

Job description

A leading procurement firm in Birmingham seeks a strategic Product Category Manager to oversee the Automotive Aftermarket and Leisure portfolios. This role involves full commercial accountability, from managing supplier relationships to driving product innovation. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in category management, a degree in business or marketing, and is data-driven. Attractive benefits include a performance bonus, hybrid working options, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.