Senior Category Manager

We're proud to be part of STARK Building Materials UK and dedicated to providing top-quality products and exceptional service to our customers. We're a friendly and collaborative team, passionate about what we do and committed to doing it well.   

We’re currently recruiting a Senior Category Manager to join us to lead our Renewables & Electrification Category. The role is responsible for developing and delivering the commercial strategy for the renewables category, driving profitable sales growth, margin improvement and market share. Reporting the to the Head of Category LBM, the roles support the Director of Renewables and Electrification in executing the long-term business strategy and establishing Stark UK as a market leader within the renewables sector.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Required

• Demonstrate successful experience in category management within renewables and electrification with a track record of delivering ranges that meet customer project needs.
• Proven experience of successful fact-based negotiation and delivery in an end-to-end category management or procurement role.
• Contract terms negotiation experience, you will receive full support from our legal team, however exposure to this is key.
• Customer focused with a clear understanding of company targets, customer needs, competitor landscape and market dynamics. The ‘Company Expert’ and ‘Go-To Person’ for allocated categories.
• Highly IT literate in appropriate Microsoft and database systems
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills and ability to assimilate information into clear actionable insights and plans and able to communicate these plans to stakeholders for effective implementation and enhanced customer proposition.
• Ability to work on own or as part of a team and manage workload to tight deadlines and work under pressure managing multiple priorities and tasks.
• Determined, driven and accountable to take ownership of issues or challenges, continually driving improvement for our branches, customers and suppliers.
• First line of contact for suppliers, internal customers, and stakeholders for allocated categories. 
• Good stakeholder management with ability to coordinate and influence decision making at multiple levels and across functions to ensure delivery of business plans.
• Communicate & present confidently and articulately to board level within the company and suppliers.
• Evidence emotional intelligence, behavioural impact & self-awareness.
• Effective stakeholder engagement at all levels within the company and with suppliers.  Adjusting approach, style, and behaviour as required to build effective, collaborative & successful relationships and teams.
• Be involved in and contribute to ‘non-core’ commercial activities that support development and delivery improvement across business and strategic improvements that may be areas outside of key category responsibilities.
• Ability to induct, support and coach newer and/or junior members of the teams with or without direct line management responsibility.

Key Results Area

You will:

• Develop strategic supplier partnerships, negotiate commercial agreements, analyse category performance, deliver annual sales and margin targets, manage new product introductions, monitor market and legislative developments, and provide commercial insight and strategic recommendations to support business growth.
• Own, create, and deliver 2–3-year strategy for responsible category areas that deliver the customer project proposition whilst meeting company commercial sale and profit targets.
• Be recognised as the first line of contact for allocated categories for all internal and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate and deliver all supplier trading agreements in line with group goals and initiatives.
• Continually evidence detailed understanding of category performance and key performance drivers identifying opportunities to improve.  Generate reports and analysis to make recommendations on Pricing, Sales, Plans and Promotions.
• Be suitably literate in the Group and UK sustainability agenda and goals and demonstrate an understanding of the impact their allocated categories, both directly and indirectly managed, have on relevant sustainability criteria (scope 3 emissions, packaging, product circularity).
• Work closely with relevant STARK UK and regional and central functions making recommendations for improvement and supporting branches to make great local decisions. 
• Ensure company policies, procedures and values are always understood and demonstrated in behaviour.
• Continually build and improve internal and external stakeholder management and relationships.
• Work alongside STARK Group peers on Group category initiatives.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Base salary
• Hybrid Working – 4 days at our Binley, Coventry office and 1-day WFH.
• Discretionary bonus 
• Retirement savings plan  
• Life assurance 
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child 
• A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more. 
• Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support.  
• WorkPerks – A platform home to hundreds of all your favourite high street and online discounts via the provider Reward Gateway.

Why Choose Us?

Quality - We’re unwavering in our commitment to providing outstanding products and service that exceed our customers’ expectations.

Supportive Environment - Join a culture that prioritises your growth, with the resources and support you need to excel. We listen and learn – we know we haven’t always got all the answers – listening and learning with you is what helps provide the best service to our customers.

Professional Development - We are invested in your success! Can we add this instead? You have a real chance to progress- the only limits are your own Explore our apprenticeships, training, and mentoring programs designed to elevate your career.

Great Benefits - Enjoy a compelling package that includes a competitive salary, bonuses, pension schemes, and life assurance, among many other perks!

Work-Life Balance - We value your well-being and offer flexible working hours and a hybrid working model to help you find your ideal rhythm

What's Next

If your application is successful, our Talent team will reach out to arrange an interview and answer any questions you may have. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure you can perform at your best throughout the application and interview process.

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