Category Manager

June 4, 2025

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Full Time

Watford, Hertfordshire

Competitive

June 4, 2025

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Job description

Are you looking for your next step in Category Management? We’re looking for a Category Manager to join our Commercial team.You’ll be responsible for the end to management of one of our  Categories. This will include sourcing the right range of products from current and new suppliers through to the pricing and promotion to maximise consumer appeal. Supplier management and working closely with internal stakeholders will be key parts of the role. The goal is to increase sales and profitability of business to drive sustainable growth. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll have extensive experience in understanding consumer needs and the retail environment. As well as a commercial mindset and full comprehension of marketing and sales principles. Exceptional communication skills are also key for this role. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What you’ll be doing:<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Product Strategy<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Set a clear and customer focused category strategy to deliver growth in sales and profit.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop and build category plan, to deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trading Management (delivering the plan and numbers)</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drive sales and profit through an activity plan including promotion, advertising and PR in alignment with the framework set by Marketing, Direct Channels and Operations Departments.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Managing SKU level cost and retail price in line with pricing and promotional strategy</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deliver or exceed budgeted sales and margin whilst maintaining or growing market share.</li></ul><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Supply & Sourcing<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Build profitable supplier partnership to develop market position.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop a clear sourcing strategy to ensure the supply of quality products that meet the customer need through the most efficient route to market.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop high performing business partnerships with key suppliers to maximise business opportunity.   </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manage supplier base to ensure that they meet all of our requirements using supplier KRA’s and 100% availability.</li></ul><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership & Team Development<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop and lead direct reports to ensure individual growth and maximising of potential.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Driving engagement with the category and its plans; be a visible ambassador/champion of your category, driving understanding through the business</li></ul><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we’re looking for:<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll be experienced in a category management or buying role having developed and executed a category strategy and have demonstrated excellent communication and analytical skills. As well as this you’ll:<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be motivated to achieve targets/deadlines.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have excellent attention-to-detail, planning and organisation skills.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Possess strong project management skills. </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have experience of managing a team</li></ul>What can we offer you?You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes <ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Competitive bonus</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Save-as-you-earn scheme</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Private Medical and Life Assurance</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contributory pension scheme</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colleague discount </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme</li></ul> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll work from our Support Centre in Watford, where our Commercial team are based, along with our other support functions.  We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.  <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About Us: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.Please contact us <a href="https://www.wickescareers.co.uk/reasonable-adjustments">here</a> if you require any adjustments within the application process.  If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview

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